12-goal striker’s Birmingham City transfer verdict amid impending Premier League decision

Jay Stansfield has declined to completely rule out a return to Birmingham City upon the expiry of his loan but it appears the drop to League One eliminates the immediate chances of another temporary move.

The Fulham loanee was a hit, not only Blues’ top scorer throughout the 2023/24 campaign but also the winner of all three individual accolades – the fans’ player of the season, the players’ player of the season and the goal of the season.

They say never fall in love with a loan star but it was impossible not to as Stansfield embodied what it means to play for Birmingham, all while consistently delivering on the scoresheet. The 21-year-old would love to stay but his potential to become a Premier League regular means his parent club won’t allow it. He too will want to realise his top-tier targets.

“We’ll see what happens, I’m heading back to Fulham and I’m going to try my best there,” Stansfield said - via Birmingham Live - after receiving his trophies at the end of campaign awards. “That’s my team at the moment and I need to take everything I’ve learned from here and go there.

“I earned my respect on the first day and could show everyone why I chose Birmingham. Being around the city and seeing the fans, and seeing how welcoming and hard-working everybody is, there are amazing people everywhere around here. Blues will always have a place in my heart,” Stansfield said.

The former Exeter City man and current England Under-21 international will leave a huge void at the head of Birmingham’s attack. As will club legend Lukas Jutkiewicz if he departs as expected. The Blues board will have a tough task finding goalscorers as prolific.