Birmingham City near shock loan move for £16m Premier League attacker

Birmingham City are reportedly close to completing a somewhat unexpected loan move for a Premier League attacker, with Brighton & Hove Albion winger Ibrahim Osman set to join the Championship side for the remainder of the season.

According to the latest reports, Birmingham and Brighton have reached an agreement over a six-month loan deal that would see the highly rated but still unproven winger arrive at St Andrew’s. The Blues have been keen to strengthen their wide options during the January window, particularly following the departure of Keshi Anderson, and attention has now firmly shifted towards the loan market.

Birmingham City are reportedly close to signing Brighton & Hove Albion winger Ibrahim Osman on loan. | Getty Images

Birmingham had previously attempted to sign Mjällby forward Abdoulie Manneh, but that deal collapsed late on, forcing the club to reassess its options. Turning to Premier League loans has proven effective in the past, most notably with the summer arrival of Patrick Roberts from Sunderland, although such moves inevitably come with an element of risk.

Osman fits that description. While he remains a player of considerable potential, he has yet to establish himself at the highest level and is still regarded as a raw prospect. Despite Brighton’s significant investment in him, he has not yet made a competitive senior appearance for the Seagulls.

A report from The Brighton Base claims Birmingham are “closing in” on securing Osman’s services, with Brighton set to terminate his current loan spell at French side Auxerre before sanctioning a move to the Championship. Auxerre had included an option to buy in their loan agreement, but that clause now appears unlikely to be activated.

The Ghana international joined Brighton in 2024 after a standout period in Denmark with Nordsjaelland, a move that reportedly cost the Premier League club around £16 million. However, his transition to English football has not been straightforward. Last season, Osman spent time on loan at Feyenoord, where he was mostly used as an impact substitute. A similar pattern has followed him in Ligue 1, with limited starts and opportunities to build momentum.

Despite those setbacks, Birmingham will believe there is untapped quality waiting to be unlocked. Osman is comfortable operating on either wing and can also fill in as a central forward if required. That positional flexibility could be particularly valuable for head coach Chris Davies, offering tactical options and added depth in attacking areas.

In addition to his versatility, Osman’s pace and physicality suggest he has the tools to influence games quickly, something Birmingham have occasionally lacked in wide positions. The hope will be that regular minutes in the Championship provide the platform he needs to rediscover confidence and rhythm.

Questions remain about why Osman has yet to fully deliver on his promise since leaving Denmark, but such uncertainty is often part of loan deals involving Premier League clubs. For Birmingham, the gamble lies in whether they can provide the right environment for the winger to flourish.

The Blues will also be mindful of recent mixed experiences with Brighton loanees. Defender Eiran Cashin struggled for game time before being recalled earlier this month, while goalkeeper James Beadle has enjoyed far greater success, cementing himself as the club’s first-choice keeper ahead of Ryan Allsop.

As negotiations continue, Birmingham supporters will be watching closely. Whether Osman proves to be a shrewd addition or another short-term experiment remains to be seen, but the potential upside makes this a deal worth monitoring as the transfer window progresses.