May in, Roberts out: The dream start to Birmingham City’s summer transfer window

HIGHLIGHTS

•  Getting a proven League One goalscorer like Alfie May can boost Birmingham’s chances of immediate promotion.
•  Releasing underperforming striker Tyler Roberts, who struggled with form and fitness, would be a wise move.
•  Birmingham must focus on transfer business, as prolonged time in League One could be catastrophic financially.

Birmingham City will have a busy summer after a terrible season in the Championship.

This season, the Blues went through four managers and fell from sixth place to the relegation zone, eventually being relegated to League One.

With Tony Mowbray’s health in doubt, Birmingham will face a major rebuild in the summer. It is critical that they get their transfer business right, as a lengthy stay in the third tier might be detrimental.

To make a successful start to the summer, the Blues should focus on bringing in one vital player while releasing one high-paid, underperforming player.

In: Alfie May

Signing a striker to propel Birmingham back into the second tier will have to be a priority this summer, especially with the Blues losing some key strikers next month.

Jay Stansfield will return to Fulham after scoring 13 goals for the Blues this season. Scott Hogan’s contract also expires in the summer, leaving the team relatively weak up front.

Signing a proven striker in League One will be critical to the Blues’ chances of returning to the Championship. Alfie May of Charlton Athletic, who had a tremendous season at the Valley recently, would be an ideal signing.

Last season, the 30-year-old striker topped League One scoring lists with 23 goals for Charlton.Despite finishing 16th, the Addicks are only nine points from relegation. Things are improving for Charlton, but Birmingham appear to be a better bet for a top-two finish next season.

Despite being on the wrong side of 30, May would still be a great signing. Birmingham will want to splash the cash to get out of the division, and May would prove a short-term boost that would prove vital. An extended stay in League One would be a horrendous thing for Birmingham’s finances, and the club will hope that May can fire them back to the Championship before too long.

He’s an ambitious target, but this is a dream window scenario.

Out: Tyler Roberts

The Blues require a striker who can score goals, and Tyler Roberts has not provided that since joining the team.Roberts joined Birmingham from Leeds last summer, leaving the Blues with a player with extensive Premier League and international experience.

However, the Welshman struggled with both fitness and performance throughout a terrible season. As the Blues were relegated to League One, Roberts played only one match before Christmas, having missed the first half of the season due to injury.

When Roberts returned at the beginning of the new year, he failed to add goals and assists despite playing in a variety of front-three roles.Roberts did not score and only assisted once in 17 appearances, eight of which were starts.

Capology thinks Roberts earns £10,000 per week and has three years left on his current contract. Given how the team was ‘fighting’ for promotion when he first signed, it’s unlikely that they included a relegation provision in his contract when he joined the Blues in the summer.

Given his salaries in comparison to his value to the squad, Wales should move forward as quickly as possible. Birmingham can utilise the money they receive for him, as well as his salaries, to buy a more trustworthy player who can provide goals and assists as they strive to return to the Championship at the earliest opportunity.

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