Kasey Palmer set for Bristol City stay as Birmingham City pursue other player and let go of rumoured target

Birmingham City look to have moved on from Bristol City midfielder Kasey Palmer after their two moves in the transfer window this week.

The Blues were one of a number of clubs that had reported interest in Palmer at the start of the transfer window.

This week though Lee Bowyer’s side have brought in a player in his position as well as get rid of the player that may have been a makeshift in any potential deal.

It was announced yesterday that Birmingham City had completed the signing of Juninho Bacuna from Rangers, arriving for an undisclosed fee.

He became their fourth signing after the addition of Teden Mengi, Taylor Richards and Onel Hernandez as they look to preserve their tier two status.

Bacuna had been at the Gers for only half a season, making 12 appearances after his move from Huddersfield Town. The Curacao international is predominantly a central midfielder but can also play in the ten role, the same as Palmer.

Given a fee was exchanged for Bacuna, it is unlikely that the Midlands club would pursue another player in his position.

There was talk that when Birmingham were courting Palmer, they may have used a defensive player in a deal. That player was expected to be Harlee Dean, who Birmingham have this week loaned out to League One side Sheffield Wednesday.

Dean, a centre-back, would have competed for a place in the defence with the likes of Tomas Kalas, Cameron Pring and Zak Vyner.

Given the signing of free agent Timm Klose yesterday though, City have already recruited in the position they needed to strengthen this month.

With Birmingham’s interest now over, it will be up to the other clubs such as Huddersfield, Queens Park Rangers or Reading to step up their interest if they want the player for the remainder of their campaign.

There was also interest from Ipswich Town who play in League One but remaining in the Championship would be preferred.

Earlier in the month when Palmer was linked with a move away, Pearson was keen not to give away Palmer to strengthen their opponents, meaning that City would have to benefit in the form of a satisfactory transfer fee or a non-divisional rival, which rules out a loan move.

Given the success of Jamie Paterson at Swansea City, who was allowed to leave on a free transfer and has now excelled with the Swans, City are keen not to replicate that and want the best deal that will suit them.

He said: “I don’t envisage us doing business which helps other teams, I’m not bothered about that. Kasey’s one of our players and until something else happens, it is what it is. I’m not going to over-elaborate on that.”

Palmer, who is currently out of favour at Ashton Gate has not played in the league since October and is not currently in Nigel Pearson’s first-team plans with players like Andreas Weimann and Alex Scott preferred in his position.

He made a cameo appearance off the bench against Fulham in the 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup but has not been included in a match day squad since and has not featured for the Under-23’s either to keep up his match fitness.