Opinion: Birmingham City transfer swoop for free agent could be a risk free move

Right now, it is hard not to get the feeling that Birmingham City are in need of some defensive reinforcements.

Having loaned out captain Harlee Dean to Sheffield Wednesday in the January transfer window, subsequent injuries to George Friend and Manchester United loanee Teden Mengi, mean the Blues are now badly short on options for their backline.

As a result, it is perhaps no surprise that Lee Bowyer’s side now appear to be working towards bringing in some additional options to help reinforce their options at the back.

According to reports from TeamTalk, Birmingham are taking an interest in signing centre back Terell Thomas, as are several League One clubs.

Thomas is currently a free agent, having left Crewe Alexandra half-way through a one-year contract with the League One strugglers back in January.

Those circumstances may mean that these links with a move to a Championship side with Birmingham may raise a few eyebrows, but if this is a deal they are able to get done now, it could prove to be a risk free piece of business for the Midlands club.

Currently, Birmingham sit 19th in the second-tier table, 19 points adrift of the play-offs, and 14 clear of the relegation zone, meaning they have very little to play for during the final few weeks of the season.

With that in mind, bringing Thomas in now, could allow them to get an idea of whether the 26-year-old is capable of competing at second-tier level, during the final few games of this season.

If he is able to impress in that time, that could open the door for Birmingham to get some important business done in terms of the strengthening of their defence, by handing the centre back an extended deal with the club.

That of course, is something their second-tier status, and