Chances of late transfer window swoop by Birmingham City for non-league striker become clearer | OneFootball

Birmingham City have not been ruled out of making a late January transfer window swoop for Chesterfield striker Kabongo Tshimanga.

That is according to Brian Dick of BirminghamLive, who claims that the 25-year-old is still on the radar of the club and there is the possibility that a move could be made before Tuesday’s deadline.

The Blues came close to adding Tshimanga to their squad on the final day of the summer transfer window in September, with the forward coming off the back of a 25-goal haul for the Spireites in 30 matches in the 2021-22 season.

A deal was lined-up to bring Tshimanga to St. Andrew’s and for him to make the step up three divisions, but a last-minute hitch in the deal saw him remain in Derbyshire.

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Tshimanga has not been a regular starter at Chesterfield under Paul Cook this season in the National League, starting in just six of his 17 outings in the fifth tier of English football as he rotates with other options, but he has still managed to hit the back of the net seven times.

There is a release clause in Tshimanga’s contract which could be triggered, with reports at the start of the window suggesting that Championship clubs were circling once again despite his lack of starts in the current campaign.

The Verdict

You would expect that Tshimanga’s lack of game-time would have perhaps put bigger suitors off him this month, but it could mean that he’s available for cheaper than before.

With 18 months left on his contract, Chesterfield have a big decision to make this month, but they won’t have much of a choice should his release clause be triggered.

Birmingham’s out-and-out striker options currently are all ageing, and they could do with injecting some younger blood into their options if they can find the cash.

That is easier said than done though, and having no experience of Championship football in his career, it would be a big gamble to take on Tshimanga should they return for him in the next few days.