It has been rumoured over the past week that Birmingham City loanee and top goalscorer Jay Stansfield is a transfer target for promotion-hopefuls Ipswich Town ahead of the January transfer window.
Stansfield has scored seven goals and registered two assists in 23 appearances for the Blues this season. Six of these nine goal contributions have come since Wayne Rooney succeeded John Eustace in the St. Andrew’s dugout back in early October.
Rooney has had a dreadful start to life with the Midlands club. In 14 games, Rooney has guided Birmingham to just two victories and four draws in total and has overseen the side’s demise from sixth in the table when he took over to now 20th.
Currently, the Blues are sitting seven points above the relegation zone and 11 points off sixth, with some tough fixtures on the horizon against Leeds United at Elland Road in the Championship and Hull City away in the FA Cup.
However, Rooney may be set to lose star attacker Stansfield when the January transfer window opens up. It was first reported by the East Anglian Daily Times that Stansfield was a target for Ipswich this winter, meaning Fulham could recall him from his loan spell at Birmingham.
Nevertheless, speaking to Birmingham Live after the side’s goalless draw with Bristol City on Friday night, Rooney still believes Stansfield will remain a Birmingham City player at the end of the transfer window [quotes via Football League World]:
“He’s an important player for us. Of course he’s a Fulham player and he’s gained great experience here, and he will continue to do that.
“Ultimately, we have been in touch with Fulham. As far as we’re aware, he will be with us. Fulham have a window where they can pull him back. If that’s what they do then it’s out of our control.
“I would imagine Fulham can only be delighted with the goals he’s scored here and the experience he’s getting. He’s getting a lot of minutes so we’re really hopeful that continues.”
Writer’s View
This would be a massive loss for Birmingham City. Stansfield has scored 23% of the team’s goals in the Championship this season and now could be on his way to Portman Road if Fulham are looking to sell him permanently.
Given Birmingham’s woes in the 2023/24 campaign, losing arguably one of the side’s better players isn’t ideal for Rooney and the club itself, but the decision is completely out of their hands now.
