Kai Wagner and Kyogo twist leaves Birmingham City facing big transfer question | OneFootball

Kai Wagner joined Birmingham City from Philadelphia Union in January this year

Birmingham City will be aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League next season.

The Blues finished 10th in the Championship table in their first campaign back in the division, coming nine points adrift of the top six.

But the Midlands outfit will be optimistic that they can get in the mix for a play-off place in 2026/27, particularly with the competition now including two extra teams for the first time.

It is likely to be a busy summer for Birmingham, whose owners Knighthead Capital have invested heavily in the first team squad in recent transfer windows.

Davies will want to bolster his squad with the club’s sights set on a return to the top flight for the first time since 2011.

However, the Championship side may need to focus first on player sales in order to generate the revenue they need to be able to spend this summer.

Birmingham close in on Kai Wagner sale

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It has been reported by journalist Tom Bogert that Birmingham are closing in on a deal for the sale of Kai Wagner, while it’s been claimed by Birmingham Live that Wagner’s sale could come to fruition over the course of the next couple days..

The defender is set for a return to Philadelphia Union just six months on from his move from MLS to St. Andrew’s.

The 29-year-old made the switch to English football in the January transfer window earlier this year, arriving in a deal worth a reported £2 million.

Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi is also likely to depart St. Andrew’s after an underwhelming first 12 months with the club.

Davies has explained why both Furuhashi and Wagner were absent from the team's pre-season friendly on Wednesday, suggesting that they are heading for the exit door.

He clarified that more information will come out over the next 48 hours, indicating that their departures are close.

“Kai and Kyogo, things will be clearer with those two in the next couple of days,” said Davies.

“There’s been a few things happening in the background and that will become clearer in the next 48 hours but tonight wasn’t a night to include them.”

It’s understood that Wagner was in line to be the first-choice at left-back in the coming campaign, but he is now close to a return to the United States.

How Birmingham City fans feel about Kai Wagner sale

Birmingham fans are bitterly disappointed by Wagner’s impending departure after he had cemented himself as a key part of Davies’ side in the second half of last season.

Supporters have claimed that the Birmingham boss now has a big decision over who will take his place in the team for the next campaign.

Many fans have urged the club to get active in the transfer market to find his replacement, rather than rely on Ethan Laird and Alex Cochrane.

While the player’s exit is seen as a play, supporters have faith in the club to not panic and find the right solution to filling his position.

Birmingham begin their new campaign on 15 August with a trip to face Sheffield United.

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Kai Wagner exit is a blow for Birmingham

Wagner contributed three assists from 16 appearances in the Championship last season, and was a positive addition in the January market.

Given he cost £2 million to sign, he was looking like a real bargain, but now his time with Birmingham will be short-lived.

Fans will be frustrated to lose such a dependable player, but it’s clear that he has a reason to want to return to Philadelphia, and there may be nothing that could be done to change his mind.

It’s now up to Birmingham to adequately replace him in the team, and fans will want to see the club continue their spending from previous transfer windows to do so.