Birmingham City Forced to Wait on Signing as Future Hangs in the Balance

Birmingham City remain keen to bring Ben Davies back to St Andrew’s permanently — but their pursuit hinges on Rangers’ managerial situation.

The 29-year-old was a standout performer during the club’s record-breaking promotion from League One and is open to returning, but uncertainty in Glasgow has left Blues in limbo.

Davies Deal on Hold Amid Ibrox Uncertainty

Davies played a pivotal role in Birmingham’s return to the Championship, making 44 appearances and forming a rock-solid centre-back partnership with player-of-the-season Christoph Klarer. The former Liverpool defender joined on loan from Rangers after falling out of favour under Philippe Clement and quickly became a key figure under Chris Davies.

Describing him as “exceptional,” head coach Davies wants the centre-half back for their second-tier campaign, with sporting director Craig Gardner also supportive of the move.

However, any permanent switch depends on Rangers’ next managerial appointment. With Clement departing earlier this year, the Ibrox club are yet to confirm his replacement, and the incoming manager will determine whether Davies has a future in Scotland.

Until that decision is made, Birmingham cannot proceed with a formal offer.

Interest From Elsewhere Adds Pressure

Davies retains a home in the north-west of England, and the situation is complicated further by reported interest from other Championship clubs in that region. While he is said to be open to a Birmingham return — even having temporarily relocated to the Midlands during his loan spell — the delay has allowed potential rivals time to enter the frame.

The former Preston man is under contract at Rangers for one more year, but his lack of game time at Ibrox suggests a departure is likely. Nevertheless, Birmingham must wait for clarity from Glasgow before learning whether a deal can be struck.

Writer’s View

Ben Davies proved his worth in Birmingham’s dominant League One campaign and would be a smart, stabilising addition ahead of their return to the Championship. His experience, consistency, and left-footed balance complemented Klarer superbly — and it’s clear Chris Davies values his presence.

But with Rangers dragging their heels over a managerial appointment, Birmingham risk losing momentum in what should be a straightforward transfer. For a club looking to build quickly and sustain their second-tier status, the delay is far from ideal — and patience may only last so long.

Gary Hutchinson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Real EFL, which he launched in 2018 to offer dedicated coverage of the English Football League. A writer for over 20 years, Gary has contributed to Sky Sports and the Lincolnshire Echo, while also authoring Suited and Booted. He also runs The Stacey West and possesses a background in iGaming content strategy and English football betting. Passionate about football journalism, Gary continues to develop The Real EFL into a key authority in the EFL space.

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