Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has made new comments on the potential of turning Patrick Roberts’ current loan deal from Sunderland into a permanent move.

The winger was one of 14 permanent or temporary signings to Davies’ team at St. Andrew’s at Knighthead Park during an extraordinarily busy summer transfer window that saw a slew of high-profile individuals and experienced Championship campaigners relocate to this section of the West Midlands.

Such objectives and finance from Knighthead Capital Management, an American ownership consortium, have not fully coincided with Birmingham’s present Championship table position, despite the fact that they are now only seven points outside the second tier play-off places with 19 matches remaining.

After a losing streak of seven league games put pressure on Davies’ shoulders, the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant’s job security was once again reaffirmed in the buildup to Sunday lunchtime’s important and unexpected victory over local rivals and Championship leaders Coventry City.

As has been the case since leaving the Stadium of Light on Deadline Day in September, Roberts was at the center of the Blues’ powerful attacking play, adding two more assists to his outstanding tally for the season so far.

After setting up Lewis Koumas for his first goal in royal blue, which restored the Blues’ lead on 17 minutes, the former Manchester City wide player’s through ball let two-goal hero Marvin Ducksch through to seal the win in front of the Tilton with 27 minutes left.

The importance of the next four weeks in determining the ultimate success of Blues’ season has already been extensively debated, with the club’s transfer plans well disclosed.

Football League World exclusively revealed that up to eight departures could be finalised between now and February 3rd, including loan deals for Koumas and Brighton and Hove Albion defender Eiran Cashin, who has since joined Blackburn Rovers, at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

As a result, two loan positions in Davies’ squad may become available, with a third possible soon if Roberts earns a permanent move following his good performances.

Chris Davies supports Tom Wagner’s claim regarding the Birmingham City-Sunderland transfer issue involving Patrick Roberts.

While no option-to-buy clause was included in the initial loan swap that brought Roberts to the Second City in the autumn, the 28-year-old’s immediate future has been extensively discussed due to a variety of issues.

The most evident of them has been his effect on the side alongside Demarai Gray on either flank, where he has two goals and four assists in 22 league outings while providing plenty of craft and dynamism for the Blues.

In November, Davies kept his cards close to his chest when considering Birmingham’s options for a permanent deal in the winter transfer window or next summer, with Roberts’ contract at Sunderland set to end in June.

In the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Blues chairman Tom Wagner sent a message to the Telegraph about the possibility of a quick move for Davies’ former Celtic colleague, saying: “We’re working really hard there.”

“January is usually difficult since the amount of possibilities is always limited.

“But we have a few goals in mind, as well as places where we believe we can discover more talent to supplement our current roster.

According to Birmingham Live, Sunderland are eager to unload Roberts this window in order to raise finances for the player they signed in January 2022, with Davies supporting Wagner’s assertions.

“There’s not many with more quality than him in the Championship, but he puts a shift in,” the Chelsea manager stated.

“I know the club has talked a lot to him about how he feels here and how things are progressing. I think he’s been a great loan signing for us, so we’ll see where it goes.”

For a long time, the arrangement between Birmingham City and Patrick Roberts made sense.

As previously stated, this is a deal that has made sense for some time, and it would not require a large sum of money to close, given the short time remaining on Roberts’ Black Cats lease.

The winger has continued his great form since wearing the T-shirt in Sunderland’s play-off-winning campaign last season, and Blues fans will believe their club is receiving good value for money.

Given Birmingham’s well-publicized ambition, it remains to be seen what the long-term future has for Roberts, but if promotion is not accomplished this season and next, there aren’t many shrewder bargains the Midlands club could make.