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Birmingham City target outlines transfer ambition with contract set to expire
German side Hannover 96 are reportedly resigned to losing Birmingham City summer transfer target Phil Neumann on a free once his contract expires next summer - and the player himself has openly outlined his ambitions to try his hand in England as part of his career progression.
Blues were keen on Neumann in this summer as they set about rebuilding their squad following relegation; Chris Davies approved of a host of new signings in the back-line, including the previously German based Christophe Klarer, Rangers loanee Ben Davies, right-back Alfons Sampsted and left-back Alex Cochrane.
Especially in centre back Klarer, who played in the Bundesliga last year, and playmaker Willum Willumsson - who otherwise could have been playing in Europe this season - Blues have had some real success with identifying and recruiting players from abroad who have bought into the long-term vision which has been introduced by Knighthead, despite relegation to the third tier.
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Neumann certainly appears to be ambitious. In a recent interview with the German media, who claim there are as many as 12 clubs from England and Germany interested in his services from next summer, he confirmed that playing in this country is something which has always appealed to him. He has played in all of Hannover's matches this season, with the club sitting top of 2. Bundesliga after 11 games.
"Playing in England was always my goal," he told the Neu Presse. "When you have a family, you naturally look further into the future and of course, contract negotiations also involve financial aspects, but it's about much more than that - in the end, it's a total package. Accordingly, I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia because that's where the most money is. I do have the ambition to get the best possible results in football as well."
Neumann, 27, was reportedly the subject of a £3m bid from Blues in the summer before they eventually turned their attentions elsewhere, but that didn't appear to distract the player, who replied when the subject was raised: "I signed for three years, so it's normal for me to stay here for the three years. I'm not someone who gets distracted easily. I'm happy to be here. My family and I really like it in Hanover."
Meanwhile, Hannover's sporting director Marcus Mann has insisted they're still trying to persuade Neumann to agree new terms, an attempt which would appear futile if the interest from elsewhere in the defender was to materialise: "We're in regular contact. Of course I'd like to keep Phil, but there's nothing to report at the moment - and probably not in the near future either."
Neumann is a versatile defender who can also operate as a right-back. He has been with H96 since 2022, when he signed from Holstein Kiel, who incidentally finished second last year and have been promoted to the Bundesliga. A Schalke academy product, Neumann has also spent time in his playing career with Ingolstadt and has represented Germany at under 19 and at under 20 level.
