"Unfortunately" - Birmingham City transfer exit predicted as knock-on effect of Swansea City interest | OneFootball

Football League World's Birmingham Fan Pundit has weighed in on his side's chances of signing Harry Darlign this summer.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City secured their inevitable promotion back to the Championship on Tuesday evening as they beat Peterborough United 2-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman provided the finish that would ultimately send Blues up to the second tier following their relegation last season, with the West Midlands outfit now aiming for the League One title as well as the points record for the division.

It's been a campaign to remember for Chris Davies, who took on the role of head coach at St. Andrew's last summer, and he has masterminded a dominant term for a side who have not tasted promotion from any league since 2009.

However, focus will now be turned to the transfer window as Birmingham prepare to take on the Championship once again, with reinforcements already being looked at - including a Swansea City defender whose future in South Wales is extremely uncertain.

Krystian Bielik knock-on effect likely if Birmingham City land Harry Darling deal

According to Wales Online, Blues are one of several clubs interested in the services of Harry Darling ahead of the summer, with the centre-back yet to sign a new deal with the Swans.

The ambitious culture that has infected St. Andrew's over the last year will be extremely appealing to a player who has spent nearly the entirety of his career in the EFL, with his current side languishing in mid-table in the Championship.

However, there is already plenty of cover in that position in the West Midlands, and Football League World has asked their Birmingham Fan Pundit, Mike Gibbs, if he believes the 25-year-old could work his way into the starting XI if a move was to happen.

He told FLW: "It's a tough one. I wouldn't have thought he would start off in the starting 11.

"I mean right now we’ve got Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann and Krystian Bielik and then if we were to sign Ben Davies permanently, he's got a real battle on his hands.

"My thought would be that we would only sign him if either Davies didn't sign or if Bielik was to leave, but even then, I think he'd probably be the third or fourth choice for me."

Mike continued: "For what it's worth, I think Klarer and Neumann will start the season together. I think they will be the strongest pair, and I think it will take some going really to dislodge them.

"I'd probably bring Davies in because he gives you cover at left back and I think, unfortunately, that probably means the departure of Bielik.

"But it'd be really tough for Harry Darling to get into the team, albeit he's an outstanding defender and a very good player."

Birmingham City have plenty of strength at the back - Harry Darling perhaps shouldn't be a priority

With the season winding down for Birmingham, they have time to work out who should follow them to the Championship, and who needs to be left behind.

With the performances of Ben Davies this campaign, it would not be a surprise to see a permanent move made for him in the summer, and this could leave Krystian Bielik without a place in the team in the long-term - especially with the summer arrival of Phil Neumann pending.

As per Fraser Fletcher, he was targeted by Stoke City in the January transfer window, and if there is already enough quality and cover at the back for Blues, they may decide to sell - especially when his past injury issues are considered.

The potential addition of Darling will also make it tough for the Polish international to find the game time that he wants, and Davies may be forced to let go of one of his promotion heroes.

If Bielik is to be kept at City though, perhaps a move for Darling isn't needed at St. Andrew's, given the amount of strength in depth the club will have at the back ahead of their return to the Championship.