Birmingham City’s first aim during next month’s transfer window is to sign a new left-back, Football League World understands.
Blues have begun to improve their Championship form in recent weeks, particularly at home, with Chris Davies’ side scoring 14 goals and collecting 12 points in their previous four games at St. Andrews.
With City closing in on the top six, ambitious owner Tom Wagner is ready to try to aid his head coach and provide him with what he needs for the second half of the season, with defence appearing to be the primary priority.
Birmingham City transfer plan revealed ahead of the January window.
FLW knows that the Birmingham management has made strengthening competition in that position their primary goal, as Chris Davies seeks to strengthen his hand for the run-in.
Alex Cochrane has been fantastic since moving up to the Championship. The former Brighton academy graduate, who was signed from Hearts for £1.5 million at the start of last season, has contributed significantly to the club’s success.
He was practically an inevitable choice, playing throughout the record-breaking League One title-winning campaign and securing a spot this season.
However, Brum are facing one or two concerns over the next six weeks that might leave them vulnerable, though Davies’ team has cover in that area.
Jack Robinson was bought from Sheffield United in the summer, having previously played full-back for the Blades, but it is known that Davies prefers a specialist in that position rather than a converted centre-half.
Lee Buchanan is still working his way back to full fitness after an ankle injury sustained during a goalless draw with Blackpool more than a year ago.
The 24-year-old lacks match sharpness, and Birmingham will try to loan him out – possibly by the end of January if his rehabilitation progresses. Davies will not want to employ the ex-Derby County defender as the club seeks a good second half of the season.
Ethan Laird & Bright Osayi-Samuel concerns poised to force Birmingham City’s transfer hand
There are two more difficulties that are bringing spotlight to boss Davies’s rationale behind wanting a new left-back at the start of 2026.
The first is that he will be without right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel for about six weeks, with the Nigeria international slated to head off to the African Cup of Nations in mid-December.
He has also been deployed as cover for Cochrane at times on the opposite side of the pitch, while the last option concerns Ethan Laird.
The ex-Manchester United youngster has been out via yet another hamstring injury for over two months and is due to make a return in 2026 – but potentially not until February.
Davies stated last week that Laird, along with winger Scott Wright, are unlikely to play until well into the New Year.
Davies rotated between Laird and Cochrane at left-back early in the season before the latter established himself as the starter.
Laird would occasionally play in his preferred position on the right, but there was tough competition for that slot from Osayi-Samuel.
However, the situation on that flank is less pressing now that Tomoki Iwata has emerged as a right-back.
The Japanese international played in midfield for Birmingham past season as they won the third tier title.
However, Davies put him into right-back and he has flourished, with his performances playing a vital role in the club’s recent promotion to the Championship.
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