Birmingham City outcasts attracting interest - duo have no future under Chris Davies | OneFootball

Dion Sanderson and Tyler Roberts are both subject to interest from abroad

Two Birmingham City players who were deemed surplus to requirements under Chris Davies' regime last season, Dion Sanderson and Tyler Roberts, are both subject to interest from abroad.

Sanderson, Blues' former captain, spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

The 25-year-old centre-back made 12 appearances for the Lancashire outfit but failed to secure a permanent move, with Rovers declining to trigger their £1m purchase option.

Tyler Roberts, meanwhile, endured a disappointing loan spell at then-League One rivals Northampton Town, managing just one goal in 29 appearances for the Cobblers.

The Wales international, who has 20 caps for his country, joined Birmingham from Leeds United in 2023 for an undisclosed fee.

Blues duo could both be leaving England this summer

Both players were excluded from Birmingham's pre-season squad for the club's training camp in Portugal, which pretty much signalled their departure from Davies' long-term plans anyway.

Craig Gardner, who is now Director of Football at the West Midlands outfit, is now actively working to move on "several" players as the club prepares for life back in the second-tier, according to Give Me Sport.

Sanderson and Roberts were named as two that have reportedly attracted interest from overseas clubs as a result of Birmingham's summer overhaul - but no "concrete" offers are yet to come in for the pair.

Gardner's task of balancing the squad has seen several other players also made available for transfer, including Swedish winger Emil Hansson, who cost £1.5m just 12 months ago.

West Ham academy product Emmanuel Longelo has already completed a move to Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.

Another John Eustace, Dion Sanderson reunion seems unlikely

Sanderson's extensive Championship experience makes him an arguably attractive proposition for clubs both domestically and abroad - even more so when you consider the fairly nominal fee he could go for (£1m).

Graduating from Wolves' academy, he has accumulated over 100 appearances in the second-tier through spells with Blues, Cardiff City, QPR, and Rovers. The 25-year-old also spent time on loan at Sunderland in League One five years ago.

Derby County, managed by former Birmingham boss John Eustace, have previously emerged as a possible destination for the defender, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

This would mark the third time Eustace has worked with the defender, having signed him for Blues and then taken him on loan to Blackburn. However, following this development, it seems unlikely Sanderson will end up in the East Midlands.

With the summer window obviously open until September 1st, time is not exactly running out just yet for both Sanderson and Roberts to secure moves away from St. Andrew's.

The reported foreign interest provides hope for both players to continue their careers elsewhere, though they - and Gardner - should hope actual bids are tabled soon.