Phil SumblerIt is being reported today that Birmingham City are about to step up their interest in Swans defender Jake Bidwell and could be set to test the Swans resolve with a move for the player.
Bidwell has been out of favour at the Swansea.com stadium in recent weeks and there was speculation before Christmas that he could be a transfer target for other clubs during the window.
Although when discussion of interest first materialised it was believed that the Swans may not want to sell, the desire to move players on within the squad and free up some funds to make way for new signings is now higher and Bidwell could be one of the departures in the window that maybe a few weeks back was not to be predicted.
Birmingham Live reports: “Birmingham City have stepped up their interest in Swansea City’s Jake Bidwell, BirmnghamLive understands.
“The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and just as Blues are with Kristian Pedersen, Swansea are faced with a dilemma of trying to recoup some value in the defender, or trying to persuade him to commit his future.”
My personal viewpoint on this has changed in recent weeks.  When speculation first broke I would have said we should hold onto Bidwell but now – with him clearly out of the managers plans – we should take his cost off the wage bill and at least command some level of fee for a player we would otherwise lose for nothing in the summer.  Can therefore see a deal happening, whether it is with Birmingham or not remains to be seen.
Is he a left back or a left wingback? Birmingham have been playing with a left back playing as a left wingback or a right winger at left wingback. It hasn’t worked with clubs targeting the left side and both players struggling to successfully play the LWB role.