Birmingham City open to fresh January exit after Chris Davies transfer hint | OneFootball

Marc Leonard was not in the squad for Birmingham City's 3-2 win over Coventry City

Marc Leonard’s time at Birmingham City could be at an end after being left out of the squad that beat Coventry City on Sunday.

According to Birmingham Live, the midfielder will be allowed to leave St. Andrew’s this month, just a year-and-a-half after joining the Midlands outfit.

The Scot arrived from Brighton in the 2024 summer transfer window following the club’s relegation to League One.

The 24-year-old has made 50 appearances in the league for the Blues since his arrival, including 19 starts, contributing four assists.

Leonard has a contract with the Championship side until the summer of 2028, meaning there is no immediate need to cash in this winter. However, Birmingham have a large squad which is actively being trimmed, and Leonard now appears surplus to requirements amid his own desire to play regular football.

Marc Leonard’s Birmingham City future looks clearer as stance emerges

The door is reportedly open for Leonard to depart Birmingham this January after he was omitted from the squad against Coventry on Sunday.

The Blues are believed to be willing to listen to offers this month, just 18 months after staving off interest from elsewhere to win the race to his signature.

It’s understood that the midfielder has become frustrated with a lack of first team opportunities under Davies.

He may now get his wish to play more regularly elsewhere, as there should be no shortage of options to move this January. This comes after Davies dropped a clear hint on Leonard's future, simply saying "we'll see" when asked about whether the ex-Brighton man could be on his way out this month.

Leonard was linked with the likes of Coventry City and Portsmouth, among others, prior to his move to Birmingham.

Davies’ side earned a 3-2 win over the league leaders without the Scot, moving the team up to 13th in the Championship table.

The Midlands outfit are aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League this season in what is their first year back in the division since winning the League One title.

Next up for Birmingham is a third round FA Cup clash away to Cambridge United on 10 January in a 5.45pm kick-off.

Marc Leonard sale might be best for all parties at Birmingham City

Leonard has not had the first team opportunities at Birmingham that he might have expected when he joined from Brighton.

There were no shortage of clubs looking to sign him in 2024, and surely there will be a market for him again this month.

So a move away might be the best for all parties, especially if Birmingham are able to recoup what they paid for him, or even potentially make a minor profit.

Leonard has shown he can compete at this level, but he’s too far down the pecking order at Birmingham and so a permanent sale might just be the best decision for everyone.