The latest Championship transfer news, as QPR, Norwich City, and Sheffield United compete to capture a Birmingham City player.

Queens Park Rangers have entered the contest to acquire Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard in January, but will face stiff competition from a number of Championship rivals, Birmingham World understands.

Leonard, who hasn’t played as much as he would like since signing from Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2024, has become surplus to requirements at Birmingham. The 24-year-old has only played 685 minutes in the Championship this season, and the Blues are reportedly considering letting him leave.

Despite Leonard’s initial fears about leaving the club in the summer, head coach Chris Davies persuaded him to stay. Davies reassured Leonard that he had a role to play following the Blues’ promotion to the Championship, but that role hasn’t been as significant as the midfielder anticipated.

QPR enter the Marc Leonard transfer race.

Several Championship clubs have showed interest in signing Leonard this winter, including Queens Park Rangers. The London club was interested in Leonard in the summer, but the former Scotland Under-21 international chose to remain in the West Midlands.

QPR, looking to improve their midfield options, have revived their interest. Nothing has moved forward at this point, despite preliminary discussions amongst intermediaries. It actually relies on Leonard’s preferences and how the Blues see the situation, as there are numerous solutions available.

One thing is certain: Leonard is unlikely to usurp Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata to force his way back into Davies’ immediate plans. Tommy Doyle, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is also ahead in the midfield hierarchy, so moving away makes sense.

Writing on the wall for Leonard

Leonard’s departure from St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park has been planned for some time, since he has not only recently dropped down the pecking order under head coach Davies. If the terms of the transaction are satisfactory, the former Northampton Town player is free to leave.

Leonard’s minutes are unlikely to increase anytime soon, thus interested parties may provide him an escape path. According to Birmingham World, QPR is interested. However, Birmingham Live reported last week that fellow Championship clubs Norwich City and Sheffield United are also monitoring Leonard’s position.

It is stated that Leonard is determined to stay in the Championship, and a move to Loftus Road, Bramall Lane, or Carrow Road would provide that assurance, at least for the remainder of the season. Leonard still has two and a half years on his contract, so a loan move seems more likely at this point.

Birmingham are preparing for Leonard’s departure, having agreed to sign Girona defensive midfielder Jhon Solis. The 21-year-old will join on a six-month loan with a buyout clause of about £6.9 million, as long as he makes a particular amount of games before the season ends.