Birmingham City’s reported interest in Sevilla striker Musa Drammeh casts doubt on the future of Scott Hogan.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Wayne Rooney’s tenure as Birmingham City manager has been difficult, with the team struggling and suffering frequent defeats.
- Birmingham City is looking to strengthen their attacking options in the January transfer window, potentially casting doubt on the future of striker Scott Hogan.
- Hogan has fallen out of favor since Rooney’s arrival and may be let go before the end of his contract, with Sheffield Wednesday potentially interested in signing him.
Wayne Rooney’s tenure as Birmingham City manager has not been easy.
Even though the Blues were sixth in the Championship table, they controversially decided to start Rooney in place of John Eustace in October, and the move hasn’t worked out so far.
Callum O’Hare scored a goal in either half as Coventry City defeated Birmingham 2-0 at the CBS Arena on Friday, sending manager Wayne Rooney to his sixth loss in nine games.
The Blues are back in action on Wednesday as they travel to Cardiff City Stadium to play Cardiff City. Currently positioned 17th in the table, they are just four points above the relegation zone and seven points away from the play-off spots.
| Championship Table (As it stands December 10th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Birmingham City | 20 | -6 | 23 |
| 18 | Plymouth Argyle | 20 | -2 | 22 |
| 19 | Millwall | 20 | -6 | 21 |
| 20 | Stoke City | 20 | -9 | 21 |
| 21 | Huddersfield Town | 20 | -13 | 21 |
| 22 | QPR | 20 | -11 | 19 |
| 23 | Sheffield Wednesday | 20 | -18 | 13 |
| 24 | Rotherham United | 20 | -21 | 13 |
With his side continuing to slide down the table, Rooney will undoubtedly be keen to strengthen in the January transfer window, and according to TEAMtalk, Birmingham and Sunderland are interested in Sevilla striker Musa Drammeh.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will win the race for Drammeh, but it is clear that Rooney is in the market for attacking reinforcements, casting doubt on the future of Scott Hogan.
Birmingham City’s Musa Drammeh interest is a concern for Scott Hogan
Hogan initially joined Birmingham on loan from Aston Villa in January 2020 before making the move permanent that September.
The 31-year-old has been a regular for much of his time at the club, and he was the Blues’ top scorer last season with 10 goals, but he has fallen out of favour following Rooney’s arrival.
Hogan started Rooney’s first game in charge against Middlesbrough in October, but he has made just four substitute appearances since then, remaining as an unused substitute on four occasions.
The striker’s contract is due to expire in the summer, and according to journalist Alan Nixon, Birmingham “may let Hogan go before the end of his contract to get his wages off the payroll”.
Nixon claims that Hogan is on Sheffield Wednesday’s short list as they look for a new striker in January, and with Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri said to be “willing to fund a major salary”, the Blues could sanction a move to Hillsborough.
With his side failing to score in their last two games, Hogan could be handed an opportunity by Rooney over the festive period, and if Jay Stansfield was to be recalled by Fulham in January, it could change Birmingham’s stance on Hogan’s future.
However, Hogan does not seem to be in Rooney’s plans, and the fact he was left on the bench as his side chased a goal in the 0-0 draw against Rotherham last weekend was a big indication of his position in the pecking order.
Owner Tom Wagner proved this summer that he is willing to spend, and should the Blues bring in a striker next month, Hogan’s exit looks inevitable.