Manchester United could loan a hot prospect to Birmingham City before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Birmingham City are in the market for a new left-back before the end of the transfer window, Birmingham World understands.
Blues have long been planning on reinforcing the left side of defence after Lee Buchanan suffered another serious injury setback. It’s been one thing after another for Buchanan, who was sidelined for the majority of Birmingham’s record-breaking League One title campaign and is now expected to miss several more months.
Alex Cochrane has been superb and remarkably consistent in Buchanan’s absence, but he’s only human and it’s unrealistic to expect him to start every game throughout a mightily congested schedule. Signing a left-back has been a necessity for a while now and that’s only been highlighted further by Cochrane picking up an injury of his own, in the 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.
Chris Davies confirms Birmingham transfer plan
Blues boss Chris Davies was questioned about the lack of depth following the victory at Ewood Park, and he was honest in confirming that it’s something the club are actively seeking to address. “We are looking in that position. We do need two left-backs so definitely cover and competition for Alex,” Davies told Birmingham Live.
“That won't change it too much just by nature we've only got two weeks to go, so it's something we've been looking at doing. Nothing's imminent from my understanding, but there's definite work to do, no doubt we need the depth. We need a few more players just to give us what we need depth-wise and quality-wise for the season ahead.
“It's a long old road we've got ahead of us and we're working hard on that, we communicate a lot, myself and the owner and Craig (Gardner), and we're always talking about what exactly we need and working hard behind the scenes. It just depends how it all falls, but there's not like loads that we need to bring in, but we need a few more just to finish off the squad.”
Birmingham could sign Manchester United starlet
Although it’s now public knowledge that Blues want a left-back, the club have been very shtum about who exactly their targets are. There’s one player who Birmingham World believes could be the perfect option, though, and he wouldn’t cost a fee.
That option is Manchester United left-back Harry Amass, who made his Premier League breakthrough at the end of last season and is now ready for more regular first-team football. Sheffield Wednesday have been heavily linked with Amass in the past week or so, with a loan bid being prepared as per BBC Sport.
Amass, who won United’s young player of the year award for 2024/25, is allowed to leave Old Trafford without a loan fee. The Red Devils are eager for Amass to play regularly in the Championship and won’t play hardball with any clubs looking to secure his services.
Although Birmingham are yet to be linked with Amass, he could be a great option. The 18-year-old, described by Man Utd News columnist Sanidhya Bhardwaj as a player with ‘huge potential’, played five times in the Premier League at the end of last season and featured twice off the bench on the way to the UEFA Europa League final.
Seven times an England Under-17 international, Amass is still lacking physically but that’s to be expected for someone of his tender age. The left-back, who can also play a little further forward as a wing-back, makes up for his absence of strength with his pace, stamina, technique and crossing ability.
It may be tricky to take over from Cochrane as the first-choice left-back, but that could be a good challenge for Amass to dig his teeth into. Besides, there would be plenty of opportunities to rotate in for cup matches and during busy weeks. This could be a move to suit all parties, so Blues should get on it as soon as possible.
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