Quick Read
- Birmingham City is nearing a £7 million deal for Spanish winger Carlos Vicente from Deportivo Alaves.
- Vicente, 26, is expected to travel to England this week for a medical and finalize the transfer.
- He reportedly chose Birmingham City over Dutch giants Ajax.
- Vicente recently scored and delivered an ‘outstanding performance’ in what was likely his final match for Alaves against Real Betis.
- The transfer is part of Birmingham’s aggressive strategy to strengthen their squad and improve their Championship standing.
BIRMINGHAM (Azat TV) – Birmingham City is on the verge of completing a significant transfer for Spanish winger Carlos Vicente from Deportivo Alaves, with the 26-year-old expected to undergo a medical in England this week. The reported £7-8 million deal represents a major investment for the Championship club, aimed at bolstering their attacking options and improving their league position, especially after Vicente reportedly turned down Dutch Eredivisie giants Ajax in favour of a move to St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
Landmark Deal Nears Completion
Negotiations for Carlos Vicente have reportedly entered their final stages, with Birmingham City ‘ironing out details’ on a package estimated to be around £7 million (€8 million), according to Sky Sports and The Athletic. Vicente is scheduled to travel to England today, Monday, January 26, 2026, with the club hoping to conclude the deal within the next 24 hours. While Vicente’s contract with Alaves includes a release clause of €20 million (£17.3 million), Birmingham has managed to secure his services for a considerably lower fee.
The move comes after a standout performance by Vicente for Deportivo Alaves against Real Betis on Sunday, January 25, where he scored inside three minutes. Spanish reports highlighted an ‘outstanding performance’ that led to a standing ovation and chants of ‘Carlos, stay!’ from the Mendizorroza stadium crowd, suggesting it was likely his farewell appearance for the club, as noted by Noticias de Alava.
Vicente’s Impact and Role at Birmingham
Carlos Vicente, at 26, is entering his prime years and has demonstrated his attacking prowess in Spain. This season, the winger has scored 10 goals and contributed three assists in 25 appearances for Deportivo Alaves, a significant contribution that has drawn the attention of several top clubs. His arrival is expected to provide immediate quality and depth to Birmingham’s attack, fulfilling head coach Chris Davies’ wishes.
Should the transfer be finalized, Vicente is likely to be in contention for a starting spot right away. Birmingham’s number 10, Demarai Gray, is currently sidelined with an injury and is not expected to return until February at the earliest, creating an immediate opportunity for Vicente to make an impact. He will also compete for minutes with other attacking talents like Ibrahim Osman.
Birmingham’s Ambitious Transfer Window
This potential signing is part of an aggressive transfer strategy by Birmingham City during the current window. The club has already finalized four other deals, bringing in Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman, and August Priske to the West Midlands. The influx of new talent signifies Birmingham’s clear intent to strengthen their squad significantly. As a consequence of these new arrivals, Lewis Koumas is expected to return to Liverpool early from his loan spell, having made 25 appearances but only seven starts in the Championship for Birmingham.
Currently sitting 13th in the Championship standings and five points behind sixth-placed Wrexham, Birmingham City is pursuing wins to shift up the league table. The substantial investment in players like Vicente underscores the club’s ambition to compete for promotion or at least secure a higher finish this season, with new signings anticipated to make a crucial difference in the latter half of the campaign.
The willingness of Birmingham City to invest a significant sum in Carlos Vicente, reportedly fending off interest from a prominent European club like Ajax, signals a clear statement of intent regarding their Championship ambitions and their commitment to providing head coach Chris Davies with the resources needed to elevate the team.