{"id":675936,"date":"2026-01-05T18:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T18:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/675936\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T18:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T18:10:14","slug":"birmingham-city-and-luke-onien-update-as-sunderland-hero-linked-with-patrick-roberts-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/675936\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham City and Luke O&#8217;Nien update as Sunderland hero linked with Patrick Roberts reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Birmingham City are trying to add fresh faces to their squad in the January transfer window<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_JS370358571.jpg\" alt=\"Luke O'Nien and Patrick Roberts celebrating Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League\" loading=\"eager\" \/>Luke O&#8217;Nien and Patrick Roberts celebrating Sunderland&#8217;s promotion to the Premier League<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Birmingham City aren\u2019t pursuing a deal for Sunderland hero Luke O\u2019Nien, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">BirminghamLive<\/strong> understands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O\u2019Nien, 31, is expected to become available for transfer in this window after finding his opportunities at Sunderland limited since their promotion to the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 31-year-old was ever-present in the Championship for the Black Cats last season but he has only made two appearances as a substitute in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"BluesLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Blues<\/a> loanee Patrick Roberts, a return to the Championship is O\u2019Nien\u2019s best bet to secure regular football in the second half of the season and he isn\u2019t expected to be short of suitors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Midlands trio Blues, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City have all been linked with moves for O\u2019Nien.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But O\u2019Nien isn\u2019t believed to be on Blues\u2019 radar, meaning a reunion with fellow Sunderland promotion winner Roberts is off the cards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Blues are looking at centre-backs given the uncertainty surrounding loan defender <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/eiran-cashin\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Eiran Cashin.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Eiran Cashin.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cashin could be recalled by Brighton and redistributed to another Championship team due to his lack of game time under <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/chris-davies-football-coach\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Chris DaviesLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Chris Davies<\/a> in the first half of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Davies&#8217; other options at centre-back include skipper Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann and the experienced Jack Robinson.<\/p>\n<p>Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">BirminghamLive has its very own <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Birmingham CityLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/B9XQh6yFkASKxe76buz3SU\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"click this linkLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click &#8216;Exit Group&#8217;. Read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"BirminghamLiveLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">BirminghamLive<\/a> football desk strive to deliver news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Birmingham CityLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Birmingham City<\/a> content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Our dedicated reporters Alex Dicken and Brian Dick &#8211; you can follow both <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alexedicken\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"AlexLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\">Alex<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/briandick\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"BrianLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\">Brian<\/a> on X &#8211; follow Blues around the country and offer comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything in between.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can keep on top of the very latest updates when they occur <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"with our free daily Blues newsletter,Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">with our free daily Blues newsletter,<\/a> giving you a round-up of the key stories in your email inbox.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you want your favourite content straight to your phone, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/B9XQh6yFkASKxe76buz3SU\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"then sign up to get breaking updates about the biggest stories and insight from in and around the club on WhatsApp.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">then sign up to get breaking updates about the biggest stories and insight from in and around the club on WhatsApp.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can also get the latest Blues stories on your phone via the BirminghamLive app &#8211; which you can personalise &#8211; either on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=76202X1531042&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fapp%2Fbirmingham-live%2Fid662307361&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghammail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fbirmingham-city-christoph-klarer-derby-33133526\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"AppleLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Apple<\/a> or <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.birmingham.news&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Android.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Android.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And our weekly <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Birmingham<\/a> City podcast, Keep Right On, is also available to watch and listen on all major streaming services. You can <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@KeepRightOn\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"subscribe to the YouTube channelLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">subscribe to the YouTube channel<\/a>, or access the podcast on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/7i6yWhYxM6D2zuxvZdC8t4#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20the%20home%20of,occasional%20special%20guests%20and%20features.\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"SpotifyLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Spotify<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=76202X1531042&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fpodcast%2Fkeep-right-on-a-birmingham-city-podcast%2Fid1707571179&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghammail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fbirmingham-city-christoph-klarer-derby-33133526\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Apple.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Apple.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Birmingham City are trying to add fresh faces to their squad in the January transfer windowLuke O&#8217;Nien and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":675937,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[855,1205,748,393,4884,8900,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-675936","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-birmingham","9":"tag-birmingham-city-fc","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-sunderland-afc","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115843840353861902","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=675936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/675937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=675936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=675936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=675936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}