Birmingham City's Transfer Hopes for Jeremy Sarmiento Diminish
Birmingham City's pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Jeremy Sarmiento appears to be losing momentum, with the Championship club now considered unlikely to secure the Ecuadorian international's services. Recent reports had strongly linked the 23-year-old with a move to St Andrew's, but developments suggest the transfer trail has grown cold.
Championship Rivals Emerge as Frontrunners
According to BirminghamLive sources, Middlesbrough have positioned themselves as the leading contenders to sign Sarmiento on a permanent deal from Brighton. The winger, currently on loan at Italian side Cremonese, has attracted significant interest following his successful Championship spells with Ipswich Town and Burnley, where he celebrated back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
While Birmingham City had expressed genuine interest in the talented attacker, club insiders indicate they anticipated Sarmiento would ultimately choose an alternative destination. This development represents a setback for manager Chris Davies, who had identified the winger as a potential reinforcement for his squad during the current transfer window.
Birmingham's Ongoing Transfer Business
Despite this disappointment, Birmingham City remain active in the market as they seek to strengthen multiple positions before the transfer deadline closes. The club have already completed several signings this month, bringing in Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman and August Priske to bolster Davies' options.
The Blues' recruitment priorities continue to focus on adding another winger to their ranks – hence their initial interest in Sarmiento – alongside seeking defensive reinforcements at centre-back. The club aims to provide adequate support and competition for existing defenders Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann and Jack Robinson as they prepare for the Championship run-in.
Sarmiento's Championship Pedigree
Jeremy Sarmiento's appeal to Championship clubs stems from his proven track record in the division. The Ecuadorian international contributed significantly to Ipswich Town's promotion campaign during the 2024-25 season before repeating the feat with Burnley the following year. This consecutive success at Championship level has made him a highly sought-after commodity during the January transfer window.
His potential move to Middlesbrough would represent another chapter in what has become a nomadic period for the Brighton-owned player, who has gained valuable experience across different leagues and playing styles during his various loan spells.
As the transfer window enters its final phase, Birmingham City will need to explore alternative options to address their squad requirements, while Middlesbrough appear poised to secure what would be considered a significant coup in the Championship transfer market.
