Birmingham City “Sanction” Winger’s Exit Following Swansea City And Blackburn Rovers Enquiries

Siriki Dembele is expected to leave Blues before Friday night’s 11pm transfer deadline following a late decision from Chris Davies, Birmingham World understands.

The winger was left out of the squad entirely for the Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham as his exit is hoped to be finalised. Davies had previously revealed a desire to keep Dembele but several other wide attackers have moved ahead in the pecking order.

Davies spoke about Blues’ transfer outlook on Tuesday night, admitting more deals will be conducted before the window slams shut.

“We still need to do some business, absolutely, we’re not there yet. There’ll be a bit coming in, a bit going out,” Davies said.

“It’s the last few days of the window and it becomes a dynamic situation, all sorts is going on. From our point of view, it’s not absolutely necessary that we get players out before they can come in,” Davies added.

In regards to Dembele, there have always been doubts over his work rate, especially from former manager Tony Mowbray. “I called him in for a one-on-one because I was a bit concerned during one of the early training sessions as he didn’t want to run,” Mowbray described in January.

“One of his first comments was that he’d like to conserve energy to damage the opposition. I said, ‘Well, that ain’t ‘gonna work mate. What, we have 10 men when we haven’t got it and then you come alive when we attack?’ I think he bought into it,” Mowbray joked.

Davies, who demands a high-intensity from his forwards, appeared to have stamped out the concerns over Dembele’s mindset during his initial few weeks in charge. This late change of heart could indicate yet another shift in opinion, however.