Birmingham City reportedly saw a move for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine fall through on Deadline Day.
Football Insider claimed Blues had been in talks with Devine to bring him to St Andrew’s on a season-long loan, but a move failed to materialise. Several clubs including Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City were also reportedly interested, as well as Saudi Pro League outfit outfit Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
The 20-year-old ended up remaining in England for several days, but has now completed a move, despite the transfer window shutting in England. Six days after the window shut, Devine has signed with Belgian side Westerlo on a season-long loan deal.
The reason that a deal could be completed was that the Belgian transfer window is open until Friday, September 6. Westerlo had no difficulties in completing a deal for the Spurs youngster, and now despite talks of moves to English clubs, the attacking midfielder is going to ply his trade in Belgium for the coming months.Birmingham were able to seek an alternative option to Devine as they secured the signing of Jay Stansfield from Fulham for a deal worth up to £20m. Stansfield, an attacking midfielder like Devine, was Birmingham’s prime target this summer, and they were able to land him on the final day of the window, despite Fulham’s initial desire to keep hold of the England under-21 international.
Another attacking midfield option available to Chris Davies is Luke Harris, who is on a season-long loan from Fulham. He was on international duty this week with Wales’ under-21s team but was withdrawn.
The lack of deals between Birmingham City and Spurs during the transfer window perhaps will have some as a surprise however. First-team manager Chris Davies departed the North London club this summer, but instead looked to another one of his former clubs in Celtic to recruit midfielder Tomoki Iwata on deadline day.
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