Birmingham City are making a statement in the January transfer window, with director of football Craig Gardner and manager Chris Davies backed by Knighthead chief Tom Wagner to spend freely in the hope of transforming the mid-table Blues into play-off contenders.
The club have already added four new arrivals: Kai Wagner, whose impact at full-back has been immediate; Jhon Solis and Ibrahim Osman, who made their debuts over the weekend; and highly-rated striker August Priske.
Birmingham are still on the hunt for at least two more signings, with the 26-year-old Spanish winger Carlos Vicente emerging as the club’s top target.
Birmingham’s interest in Vicente has been well-documented, resurfacing in the January window after links in the summer failed to materialise.
Matteo Morreto revealed on January 16th that contact had been made between the Championship club and Deportivo Alavés, despite the Spanish side hoping to retain the winger.
Early reports suggested Birmingham would need to part with around £17.3 million, matching the valuation in Vicente’s contract. However, more recent updates from Noticias de Álava indicate the deal could be struck for €8 million (£6.9 million)—a significant bargain for a player of his quality.
Interest from Dutch giants Ajax has also been reported, but Birmingham have emerged as front-runners, with Wagner hinting to fans at the Knighthead Fan Park that the club’s next signing will be a Spanish speaker, joking:
“Craig Gardner is spending money like it grows on trees.”
Should the deal go through, Vicente would become the most expensive January signing for the Blues, taking their total spend this month towards £15 million.
Despite transfer speculation, Vicente has continued to perform at a high level for Alavés. He has registered nine goals and three assists this season, including five goals in the Copa del Rey and four in La Liga, with strikes against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Last season, he contributed 10 goal involvements while starting 35 league matches, showcasing his consistency at the top level. His latest goal in a 2-1 win over Real Betis helped Alavés climb out of the relegation zone, suggesting a possible parting gift before a potential move to England.
Vicente offers exactly what Chris Davies is seeking: speed, directness, and athleticism. Unlike trick-heavy wingers, he beats defenders the conventional way, running to the byline and using his pace to create chances.
Birmingham require a right-winger to provide competition for Patrick Roberts, and Vicente would be a different, dynamic option, complementing new signing Ibrahim Osman.
Alavés manager Eduardo Coudet described Vicente as a player who can dribble past opponents and create goals from nothing, though he is more comfortable operating wide than centrally. This ability to unlock defences from wide areas could add an extra layer of unpredictability to Birmingham’s attack.
Currently 13th in the table, Birmingham sit just five points off the play-off places, with fellow newly-promoted Wrexham occupying the final spot. A frustrating 1-1 draw against Stoke City highlighted the need for further attacking reinforcements, and the club have acted decisively in January.
With 17 matches remaining until May 2nd, Davies’ side have the time and resources to make a serious push for the play-offs, and the addition of a player like Vicente could prove pivotal.
Carlos Vicente represents a high-quality, high-potential signing for Birmingham City. His experience in La Liga, combined with his pace and direct attacking style, aligns perfectly with the club’s January strategy of injecting speed, athleticism, and goal threat into the squad.
If the deal is completed, Vicente could be the player to spark Birmingham’s push up the Championship table, providing both competition and unpredictability in attack as the Blues aim for play-off contention.
