The latest transfer news as West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City plot raids on Scottish giants Rangers.
West Brom are apparently considering a move for out-of-favour Rangers player Adam Devine this January, as the full-back is free to leave Ibrox Stadium.
The Baggies are looking to add depth on the right side of defence, offering backup to the ever-dependable Darnell Furlong. Devine, who can play on either side, might be the guy to provide such coverage, since the 21-year-old is expected to be available for a low price.
Journalist Alan Nixon says on his Patreon page that West Brom are looking to sign Devine before his Rangers contract expires in June, as he has been told he is free to leave. A pre-contract deal might be negotiated, or Albion could pay a nominal amount now to completely secure their aim.
Devine, a Rangers academy product, has previously had loan spells at Motherwell, Brechin City, and Partick Thistle, but has stayed at Ibrox this season. The six-time Scotland Under-21 international has only played two competitive games in 2024/25, both in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
With James Tavernier as the clear first-choice right-back at Rangers, Devine has struggled to gain any guaranteed minutes. That will also be the case at West Brom, where Furlong is one of the first names on the team sheet, but Devine will get a fresh start.
Birmingham City plotting permanent Rangers swoop
In other Rangers-related transfer news, Birmingham are considering making defender Ben Davies’ loan permanent. The former Preston North End player has impressed in the first half of the season, establishing himself as one of boss Chris Davies’ favorite starting centre backs.
The Birmingham World knows that the Blues would be thrilled to have Davies on their roster permanently. The 29-year-old, who is still in his prime, is regarded as a long-term option as Birmingham look to return to the Championship. The fact Davies can play left-back if necessary is appreciated, especially given the injuries suffered by Lee Buchanan, Ethan Laird, and Alex Cochrane this season.
Davies isn’t the only defender the Blues are seeking to sign this winter; Hannover 96 star Phil Neumann is supposedly set to be introduced as a new Birmingham player soon.
Neumann has been a force for German second-tier team Hannover since joining from Holstein Keil in 2022, appearing in 81 games in two and a half seasons. The 27-year-old, who can play centre-half, right-back, and defensive midfield, may provide the Blues with remarkable versatility, similar to Davies.
Getting the Neumann transfer completed is a win for both Birmingham and the player. German top-tier clubs Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg, and Union Berlin have all expressed interest in Neumann, whom Bild describes as one of the best defenders in Bundesliga 2, but he has always preferred to transfer to England.
The arrival of Neumann could spell the end of Dion Sanderson’s career at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. The ex-skipper has already fallen to fourth in the centre-back pecking order and he’d only become more dispensable if he dropped to fifth.
Leave a Reply