Birmingham City and Sheffield United ‘monitoring’ winger who dazzled on Liverpool debut
The latest transfer news as Birmingham City and Sheffield United consider loan bids for a Liverpool star.
Birmingham City are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool winger Lewis Koumas on loan but face competition from a host of fellow Championship clubs.
Blues are eager to add further depth and quality in attack after signing Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray and Kanya Fujimoto earlier in the transfer window. The ambition to achieve a second successive promotion is clear and the quality of players being targeted showcases just that.
Emil Hansson leaving Blues to join League One side Blackpool on loan has freed up a spot on the left flank and Chris Davies is determined to land an upgrade in that position. Several options are being considered, with Koumas seemingly among those.
Birmingham and Sheffield United eye Liverpool loan deal
Koumas, who spent the duration of last season at Stoke City, has emerged as a potential target for a loan without the option to buy. The 19-year-old is expected to be loaned out to the Championship once again as Liverpool seek to secure their academy product consistent game time, something they can’t presently offer.
The Mirror reports Blues are among Koumas’ potential suitors, being monitored by the club’s recruitment staff. Birmingham have been keeping tabs on the winger and are weighing up a loan move, though no offer has been lodged at this stage. The competition is fierce as Sheffield United, Norwich City, Preston North End, Hull City and Wrexham are all said to be keen.
Koumas is just one of several young players Liverpool are looking to loan out this summer. Luca Stephenson, who started for the Reds in their most recent pre-season outing against Athletic Bilbao, spent last campaign on loan at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership following a previous spell at Barrow in League Two. James McConnell, meanwhile, is being lined up for his first temporary move away after making three competitive appearances for Liverpool.
How would Koumas fit in at Birmingham?
If Koumas were to join Blues, he’d likely have to be patient for regular game time. Davies already has a wealth of very capable options at his disposal and many are far more senior and experienced than Koumas, not least Gray and Keshi Anderson, who play in the same position.
That said, Koumas did fairly well at Stoke last campaign and has already proven his worth in the Championship. The six-time Wales international featured in 45 of Stoke’s 46 league matches, scoring three goals and providing two assists. The teenager also scored on his one and only senior Liverpool appearance, dazzling alongside brace scorer Jayden Danns in a 3-0 win over Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round back in 2024.
Capable of playing on either flank or as a number 10, Koumas could be a decent utility option for Blues. Although other Championship clubs would likely be able to offer more consistent starts, Birmingham’s ambition of finishing in the top two could prove tempting for both the player and for Liverpool.