Double Sunderland deal completed: How Birmingham City's dream January transfer window looks | OneFootball

FLW has mapped out a potentially ideal January window at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park

Developments at Birmingham City are continuing to catch the eye of many, particularly as we edge ever closer towards the January transfer window.

It has been a mixed start to the season on the pitch for Blues, like many of their current Championship rivals, with Chris Davies' men currently on the cusp of the play-offs after returning to form of late, particularly at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

The 40-year-old's long-term future in the West Midlands was left somewhat up in the air after a poor run of form beforehand between late August and mid-October, albeit majority owner, Tom Wagner continued to place his backing of the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant on record.

Such goings-on followed yet another high-profile spending spree to match the club's record-breaking exploits in the market throughout Davies' first season in charge ahead of the mother of all campaigns in League One, during which 111 points were amassed.

As many as 14 players saw previous loan moves made permanent or completed their own switches to the Second City on a long-term or temporary basis, with the standout being Japanese striker, Kyogo Furuhashi.

As such, it remains to be seen how Blues will operate in the upcoming window. However, FLW have looked into a handful of moves which could be ideal or plausible.

In: Patrick Roberts (Permanent)

Kickstarting an ideal January window for Blues would be the potential permanent addition of current Sunderland loanee, Patrick Roberts, should the opportunity arise.

The 28-year-old has been at the forefront of the majority of the side's strong attacking play ever since making his temporary switch with goals, assists and the direct nature in which he takes on opposing full-backs.

Roberts is out-of-contract at the Stadium of Light next June as things stand, meaning an early resolution to his future cannot be ruled out, and has already been discussed by Davies.

In: Dennis Cirkin (Loan)

A permanent move for Roberts would fill up a loan space in Davies' matchday squad, which could be occupied by his North East colleague, Dennis Cirkin.

The 23-year-old is also out-of-contract on Wearside next June. But, after being pushed down Regis Le Bris' pecking order through the summer additions of Reinildo and Arthur Masuaku, as well as wrist and knee issues.

Yet, after 39 appearances in all competitions last term, with a consistent level of performance, the Dublin-born man could fill a short-term void to add competition for Alex Cochrane at left-back, which has been lacking of late due to Lee Buchanan's long-term injury woes.

Out: Scott Wright

Another man currently recovering from a long-term layoff is Scott Wright, who joined from Rangers last August.

The 28-year-old has shown his quality in a limited sample size, but has been out of action since February 22nd after suffering an ACL issue against Reading and is currently omitted from Davies' 25-man squad as a result alongside Buchanan.

At the end of this season, the former Aberdeen man will have fulfilled two of the three years within his current contract. Yet, with gametime currently looking extremely unlikely, such is the depth and quality which has been added to Blues' wide areas, it is hard to envisage a future for Wright in the West Midlands.

As such, it wouldn't be a surprise to many should the former Scottish youth international seek a loan move in the new year, at the very least, in order to regain regular minutes and confidence.

Out: Kanya Fujimoto (Loan)

It is fair to say that the arrival of Kanya Fujimoto on a three-year deal was met with plenty of hype from Bluenoses.

However, over four months later, the Japanese playmaker remains somewhat of an enigma, having failed to break into the side after initially recovering from a knee issue which surfaced in the latter weeks of his spell with Gil Vicente in Portugal.

The 26-year-old has played 46 minutes of competitive football thus far, failing to make the matchday squad for encounters against Millwall and Middlesbrough, adding further question marks as to why his signature was courted in the first place.

As such, Fujimoto could seek a loan exit in January, which also allows Blues plenty of time to assess what the future holds.

Out: Alfons Sampsted

Alfons Sampsted's St. Andrew's career has been one of immense frustration, with the Icelandic full-back's appearance total extremely limited.

Despite making just 23 appearances across all competitions last season, the 27-year-old's loan switch from FC Twente was made permanent due to the insertion of a strange clause, which was triggered after Blues mathematically couldn't be relegated en route to achieving 111 points and the League One title last season.

Yet, with both Ethan Laird and summer recruit, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ethan Laird suffering injuries, Davies has opted to utilise Tomoki Iwata's versatility at right-back over the natural services of Sampsted.

With Osayi-Samuel not said to be sidelined for an extensive period, the 23-time international would, once again, fall down the pecking order.

Capology ESTIMATES that Sampsted's contract expires next summer too, meaning January could be the only chance for Blues to make a profit or recoup some funds.

Out: Dion Sanderson (Permanent)

Dion Sanderson's career at St. Andrew's appears to be over already, with the defender currently on loan at divisional rivals, Derby County, under the management of ex-Blues boss, John Eustace.

The centre-back has now played for the 46-year-old at three different clubs, having also left Blues on loan for Blackburn Rovers just weeks before Eustace moved to Pride Park in February.

A potential £500,000 deal between the two sides was reported to be on the cards in the summer, before Sanderson eventually made a current temporary switch.

However, he has emerged as an impressive performer in DE24, with Eustace already discussing what the long-term future holds for the 25-year-old.

As such, it would be no surprise should the ex-Wolves man permanently exit the club at the start of 2026, although a significant loss on his £2m permanent arrival in 2023 would also be likely.