According to reports, Birmingham is one of several teams interested in signing Lennard Maloney, a defensive midfielder for FC Heidenheim, in January.
The Blues already have a number of elite players in the middle of the park, like Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho, but Chris Davies is reportedly eager to add another gem to his collection.
According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport Germany, three Bundesliga clubs are already “engaged in concrete talks” with Maloney, and Birmingham and Greek powerhouse PAOK are “showing concrete interest” in a winter transfer. With Maloney’s future expected to be decided, offers are reportedly “expected soon.”
Maloney has been a consistent starter for Heidenheim over the last two and a half seasons and has made two appearances for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT). To date, the 25-year-old has made 85 appearances for the German team, contributing two assists and two goals.
Maloney’s greatest accomplishment to date was winning the Bundesliga 2 championship in 2022–2023 and getting promoted to the German top flight.
Last year, he also won the CONCACAF Nations League with the USA. In their battle for immediate promotion back to the Championship, Birmingham may find that kind of experience crucial.
Given how strong Paik and Iwata have been for the Blues thus far this season, it’s hard to see Davies benching them, but Maloney’s skill set makes him deserving of a starting position.
The Berlin native, who is more defensive-minded than the other two, might enable Davies to go to a three-man midfield.
The Blues are anticipated to finalize a signing from Germany soon because they thoroughly appreciated their previous scouting trips there.
The Mirror stated that Neumann’s transfer is “done and should be announced very shortly” on Monday, January 6.
It awaits to be seen just how much the centre-half will cost but his contract at Hannover was due to expire in June, so it’s likely the fee will be less than what was offered a few months ago.
Neumann has been a powerhouse for German second-tier club Hannover ever since signing from Holstein Keil in 2022, making 81 appearances in his two and a half years to date. Capable of playing at centre-half, right-back or even defensive midfield, the 27-year-old could offer Blues great versatility.
Hannover are currently seventh in Bundesliga 2 but sit just four points away from league leaders Koln, so Neumann has swapped a potential promotion or title in Germany in favour of one in England.
The career of Dion Sanderson at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park may come to an end with Neumann’s arrival. The former captain has already slumped to fourth place in the center-back hierarchy, and a drop to fifth would only make him more expendable.
Neumann’s arrival might enable Krystian Bielik to return to the center alongside Christoph Klarer, as he is accustomed to playing as an inverted full-back. Perhaps benching Ben Davies would be unfair, but there is a lot of competition.
