Birmingham City are aiming for an immediate return to Championship football after last season’s relegation, but it appears they will do so without Emmanuel Longelo, as Barnsley are close to finalizing a deal for the left-back.

In the challenging 2023-24 campaign for Birmingham City, Longelo faced considerable difficulties making an impact. Despite joining permanently from West Ham United in January 2023 after an initial loan spell, the 23-year-old did not feature after January, disappointing Blues fans.

Further compounding his situation, Longelo has been left out of Birmingham’s pre-season squad for the Austria tour, signaling his imminent departure from the club. A move to Barnsley’s Oakwell is reportedly lined up for the left-back.

According to Sky Sports, Birmingham City’s League One promotion rivals Barnsley have successfully had a bid accepted for left-back Longelo. His position in the team would have been further challenged by the arrival of Hearts’ wing-back Alex Cochrane.

For Barnsley, securing Longelo appears to be a significant acquisition. The full-back has gained valuable experience in a higher division during his two years at Birmingham.

Given his young age, Longelo also has potential to command a substantial transfer fee in the future, which aligns well with the strategy of buying players at a lower cost and selling them later for profit.

Longelo himself will be optimistic that this move signals a fresh start in his career. After navigating challenges last season, he now aims to establish himself in League One with Barnsley, a team that narrowly missed out on promotion through the playoffs last season.

Birmingham City should look to recoup £400,000 Emmanuel Longelo fee from Barnsley

Sky Sports has reported that a fee has been agreed for Emmanuel Longelo’s move to Barnsley, but the specific amount remains undisclosed. Birmingham City fan pundit Mike Gibbs believes that recouping the £300,000 to £400,000 paid to West Ham for Longelo a year and a half ago would be a fair deal for all parties involved. Mike expressed optimism about Longelo’s potential success at Barnsley, particularly if he is deployed as a left wing-back or left-winger, roles where he could thrive more effectively than as a full-back. He also acknowledged the impact of Alex Cochrane’s arrival at Birmingham, suggesting it made sense for Longelo to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Barnsley set to give Emmanuel Longelo the chance to flourish

Mike believes this deal benefits all parties involved, especially as Longelo is still adjusting to senior football. With more playing time, his performances are expected to improve, particularly given Nicky Cadden’s departure from Oakwell, which creates a need for someone adept on the left flank in the final third.

While the success of this transfer to Barnsley isn’t guaranteed, the relatively low fee involved suggests minimal risk. Time will ultimately determine the outcome, and even if Longelo doesn’t make an immediate impact, Barnsley intends to give him opportunities to grow and contribute.