Birmingham City missed out on star due to failed medical - Chris Davies has struck gold elsewhere | OneFootball

Blues missing out on a deal for Abdoulie Manneh has turned out to be a blessing in disguise

Birmingham City's transfer activity in the Knighthead era has proven to be a hot topic of conversation, and that very much remained the case this summer.

Blues' American investors have continuously backed Chris Davies in the transfer market to reshape his squad in order to mount an eventually sustained promotion bid in the Championship, in what would be a crucial milestone within the club's long-term plan.

There were some concerns that the West Midlands outfit weren't exactly enjoying a successful summer window this time around due to a lesser number of players arriving at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, whilst question marks were also raised over specific incomings and outgoings which were sanctioned.

An encouraging start to the season has followed, with Davies' side only losing one of their first eight league matches, which is a vast improvement on 12 months' ago.

The 41-year-old oversaw two extremely hectic transfer windows last term, but whilst some of the names arriving in B9 were extremely high-profile for the level, circumstances clearly didn't work out, and it is also clear that one failed transfer has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

Birmingham City joined strong English transfer race for Abdoulie Manneh in January

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Among the 14 players to arrive last summer were Demarai Gray and Lewis Koumas, who added differing qualities to the left-wing position in Davies' squad, which had been viewed as a weak spot in the club's League One-winning term.

With the latter struggling for form on loan from Liverpool, Birmingham became one of many English sides heavily linked with Mjallby AIF's Gambian prospect, Abdoulie Manneh.

Manneh, 21, was previously linked with several Premier League sides and saw a move to Olympiacos fall through, before it was reported that the 2025 Allsvenskan champions were demanding as much as £3.6m amid rival interest from Coventry City and Stoke City.

After a seven-goal breakthrough season, there was plenty of hype surrounding this potential move, but ultimately it was one which never came off for Davies.

Fresh revelation emerges over Abdoulie Manneh's failed Birmingham City move

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Despite being linked with the Sky Blues, who coasted to the Championship title under Frank Lampard in the end, it was reported that a deal had been agreed between Birmingham and Mjallby in early January.

The four-time international was set for a medical at St. Andrew's, with it expected that the finalisation of said transfer would pave the way for Koumas' Anfield loan to be terminated.

The Welshman later saw his loan cut short before joining play-off winners, Hull City, but months after Football League World exclusively revealed an 11th-hour twist in Manneh's B9 move, a fresh revelation has come to light.

“I think with Birmingham [City], he failed the medical. Psychologically, he was down, just like with Olympiacos," Gambian football expert, Baboucarr Fallaboweh, has since explained.

Birmingham City have since struck gold on two counts after Abdoulie Manneh saga

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Whilst we'll never know what could have transpired if Birmingham recruited Manneh, who is now on loan with Belgian Pro League side, Cercle Brugge, it is fair to say that Davies has struck transfer gold on two counts since then in the left-wing position.

Ibrahim Osman initially joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion later in the window, and even though the Ghanaian's record only read two goals and as many assists in 18 appearances, the £16m signing of 2024 at the AMEX Stadium was very highly-rated by supporters and, indeed, Davies, who praised the winger's "unorthodox ability."

With the left flank causing selection headaches for Davies in this season's early weeks, including the utilisation of Jay Stansfield out wide - much to his detriment - there were understandable concerns from supporters when it appeared that a reunion with Osman was off the cards, as well as a failed pursuit of Ipswich Town's Anis Mehmeti.

Liam Millar has since filled such a void with flying colours, with the 44-time Canadian international posting one goal and three assists in his first four games for the club after joining on loan from Hull.

Birmingham City could push for a permanent Liam Millar transfer

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Millar, 26, is at a crucial period in his career, especially after a mixed spell at the MKM Stadium which, for the time being, ended with his first Premier League goal against Coventry.

The former Liverpool man had previously suffered injury misfortune in East Yorkshire, and has since claimed that last season was about building "consistency and momentum," due to a lengthy absence and a home World Cup, before looking to improve his output, which has already been the case this term.