'We're bringing him here' - Chris Davies confirms £1.7m Birmingham City transfer has already been agreed
Birmingham City have already clinched a transfer ahead of the summer window.
Chris Davies has confirmed that Birmingham City will sign right-back Alfons Sampsted permanently after his season-long loan deal ends.
The Iceland international has only played 478 minutes in League One this season but, as it turns out, Blues always had an obligation to buy him for the long term. Joining from FC Twente, the 27-year-old will be part of Davies’ cohort for next season’s return to the Championship.
Sampsted may not have featured regularly but he’s at least impressed recently, starting the 2-1 win over Stevenage, the 1-1 draw at Northampton Town and the 2-1 victory away at Peterborough United. His performance against Stevenage was particularly strong as he won two tackles, came out on top in two aerial duels and made two clearances.
“He is a loan with an obligation and we are bringing him here permanently after that finishes,” Davies told Birmingham Live after the 0-0 draw with Crawley Town on Good Friday.
“He’s been dipped in and out of games by me at times and hasn’t played as much as he would have anticipated or liked, but to be fair he’s always done a solid job when he’s had chances.
“Fons is going to be here. He’s an international player and has played at a good level in Holland, and he’s a fantastic character which people probably don’t know. He’s one of the best in terms of attitude that I’ve ever worked with.”
This confirmation from Davies follows on from Sampsted implying he would be extending his stay at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. The defender spoke to Birmingham Live after the Stevenage game last month and tentatively revealed the terms of his arrival.
“Yes. I don’t know if I can say anything, but yes,” Sampsted replied when asked if his loan will become permanent.
“Most of my career I’ve played as a right full-back that loves to push high and this (Davies’ structure) is really tailored for that. The manager allows me to drift inside at some points as well, which suits me.
“I’ve been looking at the position from outside for a long time, to be on the pitch and be able to perform was a nice feeling.”
It will be difficult for Sampsted to become a regular starter for Blues next season in the division above when he’s hardly played in League One, but his recent emergence is perhaps an indication he remains in Davies’ plans in some capacity.
With a current market value of at around £1.7 million as per Transfermarkt, Sampsted will be eager to step up his involvement. It could be tricky with Ethan Laird as the current preferred right-back but form comes in peaks and troughs, so there could be a breakthrough moment at some stage.
There could be an opportunity before the end of the season as Birmingham were named League One champions with six games to go. Sampsted didn’t feature against Crawley but Davies is likely to rotate with all five of the remaining fixtures within the space of just 12 days.