Birmingham City saying goodbye to Jay Stansfield must lead to 'dream' transfer | OneFootball

Birmingham have been told to target Swansea's Zan Vipotnik if Jay Stansfield leaves the club amid Premier League interest.

Birmingham City are set for a crucial summer as they look to build a squad that can push for promotion next season.

The new extended play-off format is certain to benefit clubs like Blues, but, given the level of investment that has gone into the club since their US takeover, you can be sure the hierarchy believe a top two finish is possible.

Even though Birmingham only won the League One title in 2024/25, many observers felt successive promotions was a realistic possibility, but Chris Davies’ side ultimately fell short in their quest to reach the play-offs in the previous campaign.

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Birmingham told to prioritise Zan Vipotnik if Jay Stansfield leaves

Nevertheless, Blues are keeping faith with the former Spurs coach, and the priority is to back him with more quality players in the summer transfer window.

Yet, like all clubs at this level, Birmingham are vulnerable to losing key figures if Premier League clubs show an interest, and it has been claimed that Hull and Ipswich are tracking Jay Stansfield.

The attacker has been an influential figure for the Midlands outfit since his big-money move from Fulham, and he scored ten goals, as well as registering six assists, last season.

Given his age, Blues would ideally want to build around Stansfield in the years to come, but we know that every player has a price. You could argue it may make sense, as a sale for substantial profit, would give Davies and the recruitment team more wriggle room when it comes to bringing in new signings.

When quizzed by FLW about who Blues should consider as replacements for Stansfield, Birmingham fan pundit Jason Moore made it clear that he wants the club to target Championship proven players, as he earmarked Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik as his ‘dream’ signing, whilst also mentioning Wolves' Adam Armstrong.

“You could look across the country and abroad, but, for me, if I wanted someone who was proven, that you know could get you goals. You would just go and get someone who has proven, and that has been my stance since the start of the year. We need players who are proven in the Championship.

“So, my dream target would be Zan Vipotnik from Swansea. If not, go and see if you can get Adam Armstrong - players that have been in this division and scored goals. But, yeah, off the top of my head, Vipotnik would be the one. It probably isn’t going to happen, but I want someone who will lead the line and score goals, so if Stansfield was to go, we’d have to test Swansea.”

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Birmingham City must make small tweaks this summer as they chase promotion

It’s fair to say that Birmingham head into the summer window in a strong position. They have put good foundations in place over the past two years, which means they have a good squad.

Of course, there are always ways to improve, but it’s not like Blues need an overhaul this summer. Pleasingly, they are in a position where they need to make a few tweaks, and most would agree that targeting proven Championship players is the way to go.

The clear area to improve on last season is Blues’ away record, and that poor form on the road could be down to lacking lack of know-how and experience of how to grind out results away from home. Plus, Stansfield was joint-top scorer, along with Marvin Ducksch, with no other player scoring more than five, which demonstrates how they're lacking that clinical striker.

In terms of Stansfield, obviously, in an ideal world, he would stay. Not only is he a good player, but he is young, and he has built a real connection with the fans due to the way he plays.

But, there’s no point saying he won’t be sold, as a silly offer could arrive. Then, in that scenario, once again, most would agree that Vipotnik would be a superb replacement.

He was the top scorer in the Championship last season with 23 goals, and it’s worth noting that was with a Swansea side that were mid-table.

So, Vipotnik would be as close to a guarantee of goals as Blues could get, and if he could replicate his form for Swansea in royal blue, it wouldn’t be a major shock if Birmingham were celebrating a return to the Premier League in 12 months time.