Birmingham City should turn to Wolves for ideal Jay Stansfield replacement: View | OneFootball

Jay Stansfield was brilliant for Birmingham last season, but with no chance of a return they should target a loan move for a Wolves youngster.

Birmingham City endured a rough end to last season's campaign as their continuous flirtation with relegation saw them finally go down to the third tier.

Despite the dreadful campaign, a player who left St Andrew's with his head held high is Jay Stansfield. The Fulham loanee was one of the bright lights for a poor side and contributed with 12 goals across the season.

His good performances were duly rewarded by completing a clean sweep of all five men's categories at Birmingham City's end-of-season awards night.

Had Birmingham stayed up it is possible they would have been able to re-sign him, but their relegation makes it virtually impossible.

This, paired with Marco Silva's comments about giving Stansfield an opportunity at Fulham, makes it unlikely that he will be going anywhere, so Birmingham will have to source a replacement.

With Lukas Jutkiewicz set to sign a new deal, they will need a young aspiring goalscorer to help him and Wolverhampton Wanderers may have the perfect man for them.

Birmingham should target Nathan Fraser

Steve Madeley of The Athletic broke the news on Wednesday (19th June, 8:45 PM) that Wolves had agreed a new contract with young striker Leon Chiwome.

This new deal will also see him stay at Molineux next season and fight for a place in Gary O'Neil's side.

This deal not only means a future for Chiwome but will allow fellow academy product Nathan Fraser to go out on loan in search of game time.

The youngster has been touted for a move for some time but no opportune moment arrived due to injury issues at his parent club.

For Birmingham, this should come as great news and targeting the youngster to replace Stansfield makes sense.

Whilst many Birmingham fans may look for a more experienced goalscorer, Fraser's exploits at youth level cannot be overlooked with a remarkable goal tally of 22 goals in 63 games.

The other concern if they chose to pursue him would be interest from elsewhere, with Shrewsbury Town long-term admirers of Fraser, who was supposedly close to joining Salop in January 2024.

This admiration could play a role, but you would imagine a club with the stature of Birmingham would have enough power to overturn the Shropshire club in a transfer race.

Nathan Fraser is an undeniable talent

Fraser's talent is clear to see and, at 6ft 2, he does not have a diminutive presence that many at his age struggle with.

Wolves have identified him as a part of their future and Gary O'Neil has been complimentary of the youngster when he has played for them.

"I loved what I saw from him last week, which was giving everything until he literally had nothing left and he couldn't move his legs, and we had to take him off.

"I love that about him, that he's unbelievably willing to do whatever it takes."

If signed, we may see Fraser replicate his work ethic at St Andrew's in a bid to get the Blues promoted back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

His 11 appearances for the first-team have helped build some early-career experience, but moving to a pressurised environment like Birmingham could be the perfect stepping stone in a blossoming career.

Fraser would slot straight in at Birmingham

A clear factor behind loan signings is whether they suit your squad for that season. With Jutkiewicz not getting any younger and Tyler Roberts more suited to a role outside the striker position, Fraser would be well-placed to earn a spot in the starting eleven.

Additionally, the youngster should not have to create his own opportunities with service being well provided by the Blues duo of Koji Miyoshi and Juninho Bacuna, who both featured in the top 30 for chances created in the Championship last season.

Whilst new manager Chris Davies' style of play is currently unclear, if he has learned anything from Ange Postecoglu, then chances will come Fraser's way persistently.