One Birmingham City player is expected to leave as concerns arise over two others.

Birmingham City Preparing for Another Important Summer

Birmingham City can look back on a respectable first season following their return to the Championship, although the campaign ultimately fell short of the club’s ambitions.

After securing promotion from League One in emphatic fashion by collecting a remarkable 111 points and lifting the title in 2025, expectations were understandably high heading into their first year back in the second tier.

Head coach Chris Davies entered the campaign aiming to maintain the momentum generated by promotion and guide the Blues into the race for the play-off positions. However, despite several encouraging performances throughout the season, Birmingham were unable to sustain a serious challenge for a top-six finish.

The Midlands club eventually ended the campaign in 10th place, nine points behind Hull City, who claimed the final play-off position before going on to secure promotion through the post-season competition.

With the ownership group led by Knighthead Capital Management determined to restore Birmingham City to the Premier League for the first time since 2011, another active transfer window is expected at St Andrew’s.

As preparations continue ahead of the market opening on 15 June, attention is turning not only to potential arrivals but also to several players whose futures remain uncertain.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s Future Yet to Be Decided

One player facing an unclear situation is Taylor Gardner-Hickman, who has returned to Birmingham following a loan spell with Blackburn Rovers.

The versatile midfielder joined Blackburn on a temporary basis toward the end of last summer’s transfer window, with the agreement including an option that could have made the move permanent.

For much of the season, it appeared increasingly likely that Gardner-Hickman would remain at Ewood Park beyond the conclusion of his loan spell. Prior to the departure of manager Valerien Ismael in February, expectations were growing that Blackburn would activate the clause and complete a permanent transfer.

However, Ismael’s exit altered the landscape considerably. The managerial change appears to have complicated the situation, leaving the midfielder’s long-term future unresolved.

At present, no final decision has been reached regarding Gardner-Hickman’s next move. Reports suggest that the 24-year-old is expected to return for Birmingham’s pre-season programme at the end of June while discussions continue over what comes next.

This leaves open the possibility that he could yet fight for a place in Davies’ plans, although there is still significant uncertainty surrounding his role ahead of the new campaign.

Marc Leonard’s Injury Changes Transfer Plans

Another player whose future has taken an unexpected turn is midfielder Marc Leonard.

Birmingham had reportedly been hopeful of generating a substantial transfer fee following Leonard’s impressive loan spell with Heart of Midlothian FC.

The midfielder quickly established himself as an important member of the Hearts squad after making the move to Scotland in January. His performances attracted praise and helped strengthen the club’s challenge near the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

During his time at Hearts, Leonard made 13 league appearances and contributed positively in attacking areas, registering one goal and three assists. His displays helped the Edinburgh side remain competitive in the title race, although they ultimately fell just short of champions Celtic FC.

Interest in Leonard’s services was reportedly growing, with several clubs monitoring his progress and considering permanent offers.

Unfortunately for both the player and Birmingham City, an Achilles injury has dramatically altered the situation.

The serious setback has effectively ended Hearts’ hopes of securing a permanent transfer this summer and has also removed the possibility of Birmingham benefiting from a lucrative sale in the near future.

With Leonard now expected to remain sidelined until at least the end of 2026, any immediate transfer plans have effectively been placed on hold.

The timing is particularly disappointing given the momentum he had built during his loan spell and the strong market interest his performances had generated.

Scott Wright Set for Permanent Departure

Of the three returning loanees, Scott Wright appears to be the player closest to leaving Birmingham permanently.

The winger spent the second half of the season with Dundee FC after joining the Scottish side on loan in January.

Unlike the situations involving Gardner-Hickman and Leonard, Birmingham’s position regarding Wright is reportedly much clearer.

The club are not planning to reintegrate the 28-year-old into Davies’ first-team plans ahead of next season, making his departure appear increasingly inevitable.

Wright has now entered the final year of his current contract, and Birmingham are understood to be actively seeking a buyer during the summer transfer window.

Given his limited involvement in the Championship before his temporary move to Dundee, it is not surprising that the club are prepared to move on and create space for new additions.

Unless circumstances change significantly, Wright’s exit currently looks the most straightforward and likely outcome among the returning loan players.

Squad Management Becoming a Key Priority

As these players return from their respective loan spells, Birmingham are finding themselves with a sizeable squad ahead of the summer transfer window.

While strengthening remains a major objective, the club must also focus on balancing the squad and ensuring there is sufficient room for incoming signings.

Player departures will therefore be just as important as arrivals over the coming months.

The situation surrounding Leonard is particularly frustrating from Birmingham’s perspective. His excellent performances in Scotland had positioned him as a player capable of attracting a significant transfer fee, potentially generating a seven-figure sum for the club.

Given that he was not viewed as a central figure in Davies’ long-term plans, such a sale could have represented excellent business and provided additional funds for recruitment elsewhere in the squad.

Instead, his injury means Birmingham are unlikely to receive any transfer offers in the immediate future, forcing the club to reconsider its plans.

Gardner-Hickman’s situation remains more open-ended. While his future is still uncertain, there is at least a possibility that he could earn another opportunity within the first-team setup if he impresses during pre-season preparations.

Wright’s case appears far more definitive. With limited game time before his loan move and no apparent pathway back into the squad, a permanent transfer seems the most logical outcome for all parties involved.

Important Decisions Await Birmingham City

As Birmingham City prepare for another crucial summer under Davies and Knighthead Capital, decisions regarding returning loan players will play an important role in shaping the squad for the 2026-27 campaign.

Gardner-Hickman remains in limbo as the club weighs up its options, Leonard faces a lengthy recovery period after suffering a major injury, and Wright appears destined for a permanent exit.

With Birmingham determined to launch a stronger promotion challenge next season, resolving these situations quickly could prove vital as the club looks to create room for new signings and move closer to its goal of returning to the Premier League.