The genius free agent striker signing that could fire Birmingham City into Premier League promotion picture
Birmingham City are shopping for a striker this summer and a Championship and Premier League icon is available for free
Only four teams have ever won back-to-back promotions from League 1 to the Premier League, but Birmingham City could be on the verge of becoming the fifth after their record-shattering league title this season.
The signs weren’t exactly promising for the rest of the league when great when Tom Wagner and Tom Brady eviscerated the League 1 transfer record at the end of August to sign Jay Stansfield for £15 million, paying more for the ex-Fulham forward than the division’s previous four highest signings combined.
Stansfield delivered, firing 19 of Birmingham’s 84 goals in the historic campaign, and Birmingham City would do well to repeat that formula at striker this summer but with an established free agent instead, namely Callum Wilson.
Callum Wilson is ready to leave Newcastle this summer
Blues have already dipped into the free agent market to sign centre-back Phil Neumann from Hannover 96, and are strongly linked with Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku who is out of contract this summer. They’re also looking for a goalkeeper and reinforcements to the midfield while a striker rounds out Chris Davies’ shopping list, and Wilson would certainly fulfill that last need.
Aged 33, he’s not exactly coming off two stellar seasons at Newcastle and injuries combined with Alexander Isak’s sensational form meant Wilson only played 438 minutes this campaign and failed to hit the appearance threshold required to trigger a one-year extension.
However, that may suit all parties. Wilson was clearly useful depth for Eddie Howe but that can be found elsewhere and probably more cheaply, while the striker was publicly unhappy at his lack of opportunities to make an impact at St James’ Park. WIlson had previously told the High Performance Podcast: “I’m still frustrated when the team sheet comes out and I’m not starting so I know I’m not ready to leave football yet”, and added he doesn’t want his career to “fizzle out”.
Birmingham City and Callum Wilson could be perfect match
Wilson is also just 12 away from reaching a century of Premier League goals and has been linked with Leeds United after their promotion back to the top flight. However, more youthful alternatives are available at striker for Daniel Farke so a demotion to the Championship could be inevitable if Wilson does want to continue his career in England.
Born and raised just down the road in Coventry, Wilson graduated from the Sky Blues’ academy back in 2010 and has pushed his goal tally into double-figures in six seasons. He’s undoubtedly still got the quality to thrive in the Championship with his almost unparalleled striker’s instinct and lines up perfectly with one of Birmingham’s biggest needs.
In addition, Wilson would be an insightful mentor for Stansfield and the rest of Birmingham City’s younger attackers. With almost 400 appearances in English football under his belt, Stansfield knows the game inside out and has represented his country including at the 2022 World Cup. Birmingham won’t be Wilson’s only suitors if he does accept a drop in division. Wrexham are also interested while he’d improve a host of clubs in what is set to be one of the most competitive Championships in years.
But the opportunity to return to the West Midlands and likely play plenty of minutes provided he dovetails well with Stansfield is an attractive one and though Wilson has said money isn’t a concern for him after his Saudi-bankrolled stint on Tyneside, Wagner and Brady would be sure to offer lucrative compensation too.
