Chris Davies Signals Likely Birmingham City Departure for £3.5m Midfielder
Birmingham City head coach Chris Davies has provided a significant update on the future of midfielder Willum Willumsson, strongly suggesting an imminent exit from the club. The Icelandic international, who joined the Blues in July 2024 for a fee of approximately £3.5 million from Go Ahead Eagles, appears set to depart St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park as the transfer window approaches its conclusion.
Transfer Strategy Shift at Birmingham City
Following the completion of five incoming transfers during this window, Birmingham City have now shifted their focus towards streamlining the squad. This strategic move involves moving on players who are no longer considered part of the club's future plans, despite many having contributed to last season's promotion success. The process is viewed as essential for building a competitive team capable of challenging for Championship play-off positions.
Willumsson has emerged as a prime candidate for departure, having struggled to establish himself consistently since his arrival. The 27-year-old midfielder experienced a mixed 2024/25 campaign, alternating between promising spells and periods of limited impact. This season has proven particularly challenging, with Willumsson managing just ten Championship appearances without registering a single goal or assist.
Davies' Revealing Comments on Willumsson's Future
When questioned about Willumsson's potential departure following Birmingham's 2-0 victory over Oxford United, where the midfielder was omitted from the matchday squad in favour of young Zimbabwean Menzi Mazwi, Davies offered telling remarks. "Very possibly," the manager admitted to Birmingham Live. "I don't know where exactly that is and how much progression that's taken but yes, that looks likely," he confirmed, clearly indicating the player's diminished standing within his plans.
Should Willumsson complete a move away from Birmingham, he would become the seventh senior player to leave permanently this month, following Dion Sanderson, Lyndon Dykes, Emil Hansson, Keshi Anderson, Alfons Sampsted, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Additionally, Marc Leonard has departed on loan to Hearts, highlighting the significant squad reshaping underway at the Championship club.
Growing European Interest in Icelandic Midfielder
There has been mounting speculation surrounding Willumsson's future for some time, with many observers believing a change of scenery would benefit the player. While a loan move might theoretically help rebuild his confidence, the fundamental question remains about his long-term prospects under Davies' management.
European clubs have been monitoring the situation closely, with particular interest emerging from the Netherlands. Dutch publication De Gelderlander recently reported that NEC Nijmegen are actively exploring the possibility of signing Willumsson to strengthen their midfield options. A return to the Eredivisie, where he previously played for Go Ahead Eagles, appears a plausible outcome given the current circumstances.
Davies' openness about Willumsson's situation has further fuelled transfer speculation, suggesting Birmingham City are prepared to facilitate the midfielder's departure. The club's willingness to move on a player who arrived with considerable promise just eighteen months ago underscores their determination to build a squad capable of achieving their Championship ambitions.
