How much money Birmingham City would save on wages if Phil Neumann seals shock exit | OneFootball

Blues' German defender has already become the subject of surprise exit talk

As has often been the case in the past two-and-a-half years, Birmingham City's transfer activity throughout the winter transfer window has generated plenty of headlines as the deadline of 7PM on Monday, February 2nd edges ever closer.

Throughout Chris Davies' tenure as manager, Knighthead Capital Management - fronted by Tom Wagner - have not been afraid to provide the Blues boss with the funds required to reshape his squad in order to achieve the club's desired short and long-term goals.

It has been well-documented that the club's American investors are seeking a first spell in the Premier League since May 2011 as soon as possible, and, as a result, Birmingham have adopted an ambitious, and just as ruthless transfer strategy in order to eventually be successful in those aims.

After breaking the EFL's all-time record points total of 111 in League One last season, the West Midlands side welcomed a raft of 14 new players on permanent or loan signings, which, in the eyes of many outsiders, backed up their pre-season predictions that Blues would be able to mount a sustained charge for at least a play-off spot in the Championship.

Phil Neumann was one of the names who fell into said category, with the Second City outfit eventually able to officially call the German centre-back a member of the squad at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park from July 1st onwards after previously agreeing a pre-contract agreement with German 2.Bundesliga club, Hannover 96.

Neumann had been heavily linked with a move to Blues throughout the opening months of Davies' tenure, which included the Saxony-based club rejecting an offer worth as much as €4m in July 2024.

However, just six months into his spell in the Second City, the 28-year-old has become the subject of surprise exit talk, with clubs in both Italy's Serie A and the Bundesliga of his native Germany looking to potentially strike a deal.

With that in mind, Football League World have looked at how much money the aforementioned Wagner would be saving per week on his wage bill if Neumann was to seal a shock exit in the final week of the window.

How much money Phil Neumman earns at Birmingham City amid shock exit talk

Neumann has endured a mixed spell at St. Andrew's so far in terms of the minutes he has received, as well as somewhat dividing opinion amongst supporters.

After making his debut in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town on the Championship season's opening night, Neumann started the following five matches in all competitions - mainly alongside Christoph Klarer, before being dropped and replaced by Jack Robinson.

However, the 6"3 figure was reinstated at centre-back following Robinson's second red card of the season against Hull City, and scored the winner against Preston North End three days later to secure a vital three points on the road.

Overall, Neumann has made 25 appearances across all competitions thus far, scoring again against Southampton last month, but could soon be on his way out of St. Andrew's.

It was reported earlier in the window that Serie A side, Sassuolo, had expressed an interest in signing the 10-time Under-20s international due to their own exit threat surrounding Bosnian starlet, Tarik Muharemovic, who has been monitored by the likes of Birmingham's cross-city foes, Aston Villa.

It has since emerged that Hellas Verona and VfL Wolfsburg have entered the aforementioned transfer battle too, with Verona also keen on adding cover to their defensive ranks.

According to ESTIMATED figures from Capology, Neumann is the joint-fifth highest earner on Wagner's wage bill, earning the same salary as his defensive colleague, Robinson and current outcast, Kanya Fujimoto, which is £17,500 per week.

Therefore, a departure for the centre-back would reduce the club's overall wage bill to £365,000 per week, although this would still be the 10th-highest wage bill in the second tier.

Birmingham City will hope Phil Neumann's head isn't turned by European interest

With Blues showcasing such a strong desire to sign Neumann in the first place, it would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters if the defender was to exit so swiftly after joining the club.

However, there will be hope that, whilst Blues are not in the top flight of their respective country, unlike the aforementioned suitors, Neumann continues to be swayed by the well-documented 'project' often referenced by owner, Wagner, which includes the upcoming 62,000-seater Powerhouse stadium.

Even in the short-term, it would be a strange decision for the club to sanction an exit, as beyond Neumann, Klarer and Robinson, Davies has no further natural centre-back options of a senior ilk at his disposal.