Birmingham City have reportedly submitted contractual terms to Alaves winger Carlos Vicente, setting the stage for a fierce transfer battle with Dutch giants Ajax as the winter window nears its close. The Championship side are pushing hard to secure the signature of the highly sought-after Spanish player, who has a release clause valued at around €20 million, equivalent to approximately £17.3 million.
Transfer Saga Intensifies as Blues Go All In
According to widespread reports, Birmingham City are intensifying their pursuit of Carlos Vicente, with Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph confirming that an official approach has been made to Alaves. While Ajax remain in contention for the winger, it is suggested that Vicente prefers a move to the Championship, adding a twist to the ongoing negotiations.
Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof has revealed that Birmingham are going all in to lure Vicente to the West Midlands, presenting what has been described as an astronomical offer. This development has reportedly caused Vicente to reconsider his initial inclination towards joining Ajax, highlighting the financial incentives and persistence from the English club.
Vicente's Profile and Potential Impact at Birmingham
At 26 years old, Carlos Vicente is entering his prime years and has established himself as a reliable goal scorer in La Liga. This season, he has netted nine goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances, building on a solid previous campaign where he scored five goals and assisted five in 38 matches. His journey to the top flight saw him break through in the Spanish third tier in the 2021/22 season with CD Calahorra at age 22.
If Vicente were to join Birmingham City, he would likely compete for a starting position immediately, vying for minutes with players such as Demarai Gray and Ibrahim Osman. With Gray expected to be sidelined until February at the earliest, Vicente could have the opportunity to make an immediate impact, bolstering the team's attacking options as they aim to be competitive in the latter part of the season.
Broader Context of Birmingham's Transfer Activity
This pursuit comes amid a busy January transfer window for Birmingham City, who have already completed four deals, including signings like Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman, and August Priske. Manager Chris Davies appears determined to further strengthen the squad, particularly in the wide areas, despite having secured Osman on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The interest in Vicente underscores Birmingham's ambition to enhance their roster, with the club seemingly willing to invest significantly to secure top talent. As the transfer deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether Birmingham can outmanoeuvre Ajax and finalise what would be a marquee signing for the Championship side.
