After a period of heavy summer rebuilding, Birmingham City is aiming to adopt a more measured approach to squad development in 2026. Following their recent consolidation in the Championship, the club’s focus is shifting from rapid player turnover to careful recruitment and squad balance.
Owners are eager to propel the club up the football ladder towards the Premier League, but realistic expectations are necessary. With 17 new signings in the 2024 off-season and 11 more arriving in 2025, the 2026 transfer window promises to be far less hectic. Manager Chris Davies has targeted approximately half a dozen signings, prioritizing quality over quantity, and hopes to retain promising loan players Ibrahim Osman and Jhon Solis.
As supporters await the official released and retained list, BirminghamLive reviews the current squad status focusing on who may stay, who will leave, and contract expirations.
READ MORE: Calls to Lower State Pension Age to 53 Following Gen Z Research
READ MORE: Cheapest Supermarket in UK Revealed: Aldi Tops List, £2.50 Cheaper Than Lidl
The squad overhaul over the past two years means few players have contracts expiring soon. Jonathan Panzo, a short-term signing from Rio Ave, is the only senior player whose deal expires next month. Having impressed in several matches, it appears unlikely he will remain at Blues next season.
Patrick Roberts, initially on loan last summer before signing permanently in January, has surprisingly been sidelined during the season’s final month despite his key role earlier on.
Four loan players will return to their parent clubs. James Beadle, Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper since September, will return to Brighton after making 38 appearances for Birmingham in the Championship. Beadle still has two years on his Brighton contract amidst uncertainty over Brighton’s goalkeeping future involving Bart Verbruggen and Carl Rushworth.
Tommy Doyle, a midfielder on loan from Wolves, had limited chances after initially gaining manager Davies’ trust. He is expected to return to Wolves and will likely not rejoin Blues.
In contrast, Jhon Solis has thrived in his first months of English football and remains a Girona player. Birmingham City has expressed clear interest in securing him permanently, impressed by his physical and technical abilities which suggest he can excel at Championship level and beyond.
Ibrahim Osman, on loan from Brighton, is praised for his pace and ability to challenge even the most disciplined defensive lines. Though somewhat inconsistent, another loan spell could support his development as Brighton’s promising prospect.
Birmingham’s squad depth for the upcoming season currently includes:
- Goalkeepers: Ryan Allsop, Brad Mayo
- Right Backs: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ethan Laird
- Centre Backs: Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann, Jack Robinson
- Left Backs: Kai Wagner, Alex Cochrane, Lee Buchanan
- Central Midfielders: Paik Seung-ho, Tomoki Iwata, Marc Leonard, Taylor Gardner-Hickman
- Right Wingers: Carlos Vicente, Patrick Roberts, Scott Wright
- Attacking Midfielders/Forwards (No. 10): Marvin Ducksch, Kanya Fujimoto
- Left Winger: Demarai Gray
- Centre Forwards: August Priske, Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi
With strategic signings and loan returns, Birmingham City looks to find the right blend of stability and quality to push forward in the coming seasons.