Despite the high-profile additions of Demarai Gray, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyogo Furuhashi, Birmingham City’s most intriguing transfer of the summer could yet arrive in the shape of a much-admired La Liga marksman.
It is a real sign of the times, and a reflection of the financial gulf between English and European football, that a move to St Andrews could see one of Spanish football’s star attackers earn himself a considerable pay rise.
At least, that is the prediction of La Liga expert Terry Gibson.
Speaking in response to EFL Analysis’ exclusive reveal that Birmingham City are interested in Carlos Vicente of Deportivo Alaves, Gibson admits that the financial aspect is likely to play a major role in any discussions between now and the end of September.
According to Capology, Carlos Vicente earns around £7,000-a-week at Alaves.
Birmingham reportedly paid around £10 million bringing Kyogo Furuhashi back to the United Kingdom from Rennes, meanwhile. And while the details of his contract are yet to be revealed, Kyogo was reportedly taking home some £40,000-a-week in France.
With that in mind, should Vicente join him at St Andrews, a man who broke into double figures for goals and assists in La Liga last term with five apiece is likely to find himself very well remunerated.
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLa Liga expert Terry Gibson tells Birmingham City fans what to expect from Carlos Vicente
Speaking on El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast, Gibson was asked this week about the prospect of Birmingham adding a dynamic, determined and occasionally deadly attacker to Chris Davies’ ranks.
Alaves’ loss, he feels, would most certainly be The Blues’ gain.
“Oh I love watching Carlos Vicente. I think he’s fantastic,” the former Manchester United and Tottenham man says. “It would be a bitter blow to Alaves if they lose him.
“Would he leave Alaves to go to Birmingham? My guess is he probably earns more money at Birmingham than he would at Alaves. I think, if the deal is right [it could happen]…
“Hard-working, a great attitude, necessary skill needed… Over the last couple of years, he has become a bit of a favourite of mine. So good news [for Birmingham fans] if they get him.”
Reportedly valued at £8.5 million, Carlos Vicente is confident he can thrive in England.
The Zaragoza-born 26-year-old believes he possesses the physicality, stamina, work-rate and versatility to make the grade, while also indicating that he is capable of doing a job at full-back if required.
While helping Alaves dodge relegation last season, Vicente thrived as an old-school, right-footed right-winger. That, though, is a position former QPR flyer Bright Osayi-Samuel will be looking to nail down himself at Birmingham next term.
Kanja Fujimoto, snapped up from Portuguese outfit Gil Vicente, can also play on the right even if his five Primeira Liga goals last season largely came from a more central, attacking midfield position.
Chris Davies wants more signings as Birmingham eye Shuto Machino and Sontje Hansen
Birmingham have been linked with Shuto Machino of Holstein Kiel as well following an impressive Bundesliga campaign in which he outscored Liverpool’s new £116 million superstar Florian Wirtz.
NEC Nijmegen ace Sontje Hansen is another option should Davies look to add another wide forward to his selection.
“We’ve made a start obviously,” Davies said this month, before Brighton loanee Eiran Cashin saw Birmingham’s tally of summer signings reach double figures.
“But we had to replace I think six or seven players who left, so you naturally have to replace them with six or seven players. That’s normal. And yeah, I think we’ve still got work to do, definitely, but that’s an ongoing process.
“Obviously, there are still six-odd weeks of the window left so there will be more movement over time. But the early flurry that we had I think made a good impact trying to signal some of our intent and bringing some quality in.
“They’re just all on different paths at the moment physically, so they have to get up to speed. We’ll continue to work as we always do, to see what else we can do to improve the squad.”