{"id":666707,"date":"2026-01-01T11:20:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T11:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/666707\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T11:20:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T11:20:14","slug":"birmingham-finalise-deal-to-sign-player-who-next-manager-candidate-is-a-big-fan-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/666707\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham finalise deal to sign player who next manager candidate is a big fan of"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Birmingham<\/p>\n

Credit: Imago<\/p>\n

\"Evan <\/p>\n

Thu 1 January 2026 8:50, UK <\/p>\n

Birmingham City are closing in on a deal to sign Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner in the coming days.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Football Insider<\/strong> revealed in December that Birmingham are looking to sign a striker, a left-back and a midfielder over the next month<\/a>. <\/p>\n

What is likely interfering with decisions over specific targets, however, is the impending change of manager at St Andrew\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Chris Davies is under massive pressure at Birmingham<\/a>, having failed to lead his side to any wins over the last six Championship<\/a> fixtures.<\/p>\n

Michael Carrick is among the candidates to take over at Birmingham<\/a>, in a list that has seen several high-profile names emerge. <\/p>\n

\"MichaelCredit: ImagoPotential manager Jesse Marsch tried to sign Kai Wagner<\/p>\n

Jesse Marsch has been linked with the Birmingham job<\/a> in recent weeks, with the American yet to return to club management since leaving Leeds United<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n

The 52-year-old is currently the head coach of Canada\u2019s national team and could lead them in next year\u2019s World Cup<\/a>, where they will be a co-host.<\/p>\n

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES<\/p>\n

Marsch<\/a> started out in the MLS<\/a> before coaching both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig<\/a>, earning a reputation there for his progressive style of play.<\/p>\n

\"LeedsCredit: Imago<\/p>\n

When Marcelo Bielsa<\/a> left Leeds in 2022, the American was appointed and helped the Whites avoid relegation at the end of the season. <\/p>\n

The following season, however, he would be sacked in February after leaving his team 17th in the Premier League<\/a> table.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2022, Leeds had attempted to sign Wagner, with Ben Jacobs<\/a> reporting at the time that Marsch was driving the move.<\/p>\n

A move would ultimately fail to materialise, but the 52-year-old could now have a second chance to manage the defender, should he be appointed by Birmingham.<\/p>\n

\n

Sources: The Philadelphia Union are finalizing a deal to transfer Kai Wagner to Championship side Birmingham City.<\/p>\n

Wagner, 28, has made 253 appearances for the Union across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 54 assists over 22,134 minutes.<\/p>\n

One of the best left\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/wxWwE8JmJ3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jos\u00e9 Roberto Nu\u00f1ez (@JoserNunez91) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Jose Roberto Nunez reported on Wednesday night that Birmingham are finalising a deal to sign Wagner. <\/p>\n

Wagner has already spoken about European ambitions<\/p>\n

Wagner, a forward-thinking full-back, has been with Philadelphia Union since 2019, when he moved from German side Wurzburger Kickers.<\/p>\n

Over the course of 201 MLS appearances, the German has provided 46 assists and has spoken about his dreams of a return to Europe.<\/p>\n

Speaking in 2020, Wagner said: \u201cIn February I will already be 24, so I also think that I will have to move on soon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI have left an impression here and I am ready for one of the top three\u00a0leagues in Europe. Bundesliga, Premier League or Spain, whatever. <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be a regular player there and maybe even make the step to the national team.\u201d<\/p>\n

That move had not come true, until now, it would appear. Birmingham will not yet provide Wagner with Premier League football, but it could well be down the line.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n