Birmingham City Midfielder Faces Potential Dutch Departure
Willum Willumsson, the Icelandic international currently at Birmingham City, could be offered an opportunity to return to the Netherlands before the transfer window closes. The 27-year-old midfielder has seen limited action this season, featuring in only 10 Championship matches for Blues.
Recent Struggles at St Andrew's
Willumsson has experienced a significant drop in playing time recently, failing to secure a starting position since Birmingham's New Year's Day defeat to Watford. This comes despite the player making a comeback from an injury that sidelined him for nearly four months before Christmas. Upon his return, he started three of Birmingham's four festive period fixtures.
Manager Chris Davies implemented changes following the heavy Watford loss, resulting in several players, including Willumsson, being moved to the periphery of the first team setup. The midfielder watched as his friend and fellow Icelander Alfons Sampsted completed a move back to the Eredivisie with Go Ahead Eagles last week, potentially paving the way for his own departure.
Dutch Interest Emerges
According to reports from Dutch publication de Gelderlander, Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen have expressed strong interest in acquiring Willumsson during this transfer period. The Dutch club currently occupies fourth position in the league table and is actively competing for European football qualification for the 2026/27 season.
Willumsson previously demonstrated his capabilities in the Eredivisie during his tenure with Go Ahead Eagles, which prompted Birmingham City to sign him eighteen months ago. Birmingham are reportedly willing to sanction a sale this month, with Go Ahead Eagles CEO Jan Willem van Dop revealing that discussions about Willumsson occurred during negotiations for Sampsted.
Van Dop stated: "I called my colleague in Birmingham and he asked if we could talk about Willum. So, no matter how good a player you are, that doesn't mean you'll succeed in a league like the Championship."
Transfer Window Implications
With the transfer deadline approaching, this potential move represents a significant development for both player and club. Willumsson's situation highlights the challenges international players sometimes face when adapting to the physical demands of the Championship, despite previous success in other European leagues.
The midfielder's potential departure would follow a pattern of Birmingham City reassessing their squad composition under the current management regime. As clubs across Europe make their final moves in the transfer market, Willumsson's future remains one of several intriguing narratives unfolding in English football's second tier.
