Birmingham City have made a bold move in the January transfer window, submitting a significant offer to sign Spanish forward Carlos Vicente from La Liga side Alavés.
Record-breaking bid for long-term target
The Blues' interest in the 26-year-old winger is not new, with links first surfacing in July 2025. However, a deal failed to materialise then, with manager Chris Davies instead securing the signings of Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch.
Now, according to reports from respected Spanish publications Marca and El Correo, Birmingham have returned with a 'substantial' offer this month. The Basque newspaper El Correo states that Alavés are holding out for a fee close to Vicente's €20 million release clause, which is approximately £17 million.
This figure would shatter the club's current transfer record, the £15 million paid to Fulham for Jay Stansfield in 2024.
Why Birmingham are so keen on Vicente
Vicente has carved out an impressive reputation in Spain's top flight. This season, he has scored nine goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, with four of those goals coming in La Liga.
His rise has been notable, climbing from the Spanish third tier to the top division over five years with clubs like Racing Ferrol and Alavés. He is described as a hard-working, speedy right-winger with excellent agility and a productive output in the final third.
Former Wimbledon FA Cup winner Terry Gibson is a known admirer, having previously told the 'El Tel and Jon's La Liga Weekly' podcast: "Oh I love watching Carlos Vicente. I think he's fantastic... Hard-working, a great attitude, necessary skill needed."
Boosting the promotion challenge
The push for Vicente signals Birmingham's ambition to climb the Championship table. Currently sitting in 14th place, the club's objective is a finish in the top six to secure a play-off spot.
His potential arrival would provide a major boost to their attacking options. Vicente would likely compete for a starting role on the right flank but also offers cover as a central forward, providing crucial depth.
A significant obstacle remains, however. Reports indicate that Alavés manager Eduardo Coudet is reluctant to lose his player during the mid-season window, setting the stage for a tense negotiation period before the deadline.
If Birmingham can get this deal over the line, it would represent a major statement of intent for the second half of the season.
