£3.5m-rated star needs Ipswich Town exit as Birmingham City and Stoke City plan moves.

The January transfer window is approaching, and Championship clubs will soon be finalising plans for the second half of the season. Ipswich Town midfielder Anis Mehmeti could become one of the division’s most attractive options, with a return to the second tier potentially offering the best solution.

Mehmeti’s Ipswich situation

Mehmeti joined Ipswich from Bristol City in January 2026 for a reported fee of around £3.5 million. His performances attracted interest from several clubs during the summer, but he chose to stay in Suffolk and fight for a place in the Premier League under new manager Gary O’Neil.

Pete O’Rourke reported that Birmingham City and Wrexham were interested, while Alan Nixon reported Derby County’s pursuit. Mehmeti ultimately rejected a return to the Championship. However, his decision has not produced the opportunities he wanted. After ten Premier League gameweeks, he had not been named in a single Ipswich matchday squad.

Mehmeti cannot afford to let an entire season pass without regular football, especially after showing what he can offer in the Championship.

His 2025/26 record explains why clubs should be interested. He made 46 appearances, scored ten goals and supplied seven assists. His expected-goals figure was 10.44, while he created 61 chances and completed 53 successful dribbles.

A January move could restore his momentum and give Ipswich an opportunity to reconsider a player who is currently outside O’Neil’s plans. Birmingham and Stoke have particularly strong reasons to explore a deal.

Birmingham City need more attacking depth

Birmingham were linked with Mehmeti last summer, making another approach plausible. Chris Davies generally uses a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jay Stansfield often filling the number ten role. Recently, however, Max Bird has been pushed further forward while Stansfield has deputised as a striker during August Priske’s absence.

An injury to Stansfield or Bird could leave Davies short of options in that position.

Mehmeti would provide another option. Although he is most effective centrally, he can operate across the final third. Adding him would increase competition and give Davies greater flexibility.

The Blues entered the international break top of the Championship, level on points with Middlesbrough and Stoke but ahead on goal difference. Automatic promotion is a realistic possibility, and strengthening the squad could help turn their strong start into a successful campaign. Mehmeti’s previous record suggests he could bring valuable creativity and goals.

Stoke City could strengthen their promotion push

Stoke should also consider a move. Mark Robins’ side lost their opening three league matches against Swansea City, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but have since responded impressively. They have suffered only one defeat in their last 12 Championship games and won nine.

A switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation has helped drive their improvement. Jack McGlynn has impressed in one of the attacking midfield positions, Ethan Galbraith has controlled matches from deeper, and goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has regularly helped keep the score down.

The role alongside McGlynn, though, has not been settled. Bae Jun-ho, Justin Devenny and Million Manhoef have all featured, but none has consistently secured a starting place. Mehmeti could bring the quality and consistency Stoke need as they pursue promotion.

Bae’s contract situation offers another reason to examine the market. The South Korean is out of contract at the end of the season, and a January departure would not be a shock. Stoke could potentially move him on and bring Mehmeti in, strengthening an important position while resolving an uncertain situation.

A January move could suit everyone

Mehmeti’s immediate priority should be regular football. His Championship statistics show that he can make a difference, but he needs a club willing to give him a meaningful role. Remaining at Ipswich without making matchday squads is unlikely to help his confidence or progress.

A permanent transfer or suitable loan could give Mehmeti a route back into action, although any move would depend on the clubs agreeing terms.

Birmingham would gain another creative option in a squad challenging near the top, while Stoke could strengthen a position where no regular partnership has emerged. Both clubs have promotion ambitions and reasons to act if they believe Mehmeti can improve their chances.

With opportunities limited and Championship sides searching for attacking quality, a return to the second tier looks increasingly sensible. Birmingham and Stoke should assess the possibility before January arrives, while Mehmeti has a clear incentive to seek a fresh start.

His ability to create chances, carry the ball and contribute goals could make him useful in either system, depending on each manager’s tactical demands.