Birmingham City willing to grant Phil Neumann his career goal with transfer
Birmingham City are eager to bring defender Phil Neumann to the club and make him their first signing of the transfer window this month - and, judging by what the man himself has spoken publicly about previously as regards to his own future, making the switch to England has always been on the cards.
Neumann plays for 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96, but his contract there expires in the summer and, as per FIFA rules, he is free to discuss an overseas move with prospective clubs as of this month. Hannover, though, are likely to entertain interest in January in order to not lose the player for nothing at the end of the season.
Germany centre half Neumann has had plenty of interest from the Bundesliga before now, but Blues have always been a viable destination for the player, who has spent two and a half years at Hannover. He has also represented Germany in various age categories at youth level.
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Neumann, who has been described previously by reputable German outlet BILD as ‘one of the best defenders in the second division’, has also drawn the attention of top tier sides Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg and Union Berlin, but Blues have the advantage of being able to discuss a move ahead of any potential rivals.
Especially in centre back Christoph 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.
They don't intend to hang around in League One, and at the midway point in the season they sit, as expected, at the top of the division. It could be a significant month, then, if Blues are to top up their squad with players who already have half an eye on the Championship. For Neumann, ambition is not something which he lacks.
"Playing in England was always my goal," he told the Neu Presse in November. "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."
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.
