John Eustace eyes reunion as Derby County step up interest in £2m Birmingham City outcast
Derby County are interested in signing Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson, with John Eustace eager to reunite with his former colleague, Birmingham World understands.
Sanderson, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, has been transfer listed by Blues. Chris Davies doesn’t have the 25-year-old in his plans as the likes of Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer and Krystian Bielik are all ahead of him in the pecking order at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
Formerly Blues’ skipper before being revoked of the captain’s armband following a drink driving charge in 2024, Sanderson has been told he can move on to pastures new. A string of clubs are understood to be interested in acquiring the centre-half’s services, with Derby directly named by an anonymous source.
Eustace is a great admirer of Sanderson as he was the one who originally signed him on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers before turning the defender’s move permanent for a fee understood to be at the £2 million mark. Eustace then sanctioned Blackburn’s loan swoop for Sanderson in January of this year before leaving for Derby just a month later.
Sanderson may join Eustace in packing his bags for Pride Park Stadium. Although not a guaranteed starter throughout his time at Blackburn towards the tail-end of last campaign, the centre-back, who can also play at right-back if required, certainly has Championship pedigree.
During spells at Birmingham, Blackburn, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City, Sanderson has racked up 116 career Championship appearances. The 25-year-old has also played 28 times in League One throughout stretches with Blues and another of his former loan destinations, Sunderland.
Birmingham transfer list four others
Sanderson is just one of five players who haven’t travelled with Birmingham for their pre-season tour of Portugal, with the others also expected to depart the club, whether that be permanently or on loan.
Among those set to exit is former Leeds United man Tyler Roberts, who has been deemed surplus to requirements. The attacking midfielder spent last season on loan at Northampton Town and the Cobblers are considering a permanent swoop, though high wages are a sticking point.
Another not in the pre-season squad is Alfons Sampsted, who only recently saw his loan from FC Twente turn permanent. Following the signing of Bright Osayi-Samuel from Fenerbahce, it appears Sampsted is no longer required.
West Ham United academy product Emmanuel Longelo, who spent last campaign on loan at Cambridge United, is reportedly closing in on a permanent move from Birmingham to Scottish Premiership club Motherwell. The 24-year-old, who cost £400,000 in 2023 after an initial loan spell, is eager to reignite his career after a tricky couple of seasons.
The final player of the five left out of the trip to Portugal is Emil Hansson. Blues could be set to take a loss on the winger, who cost £1.5 million to sign from Heracles Almelo just 12 months ago. It’s not worked out for Hansson, who contributed just two goals and two assists in 24 appearances across all competitions last season.
Birmingham are expected to listen to offers for Hansson, who certainly isn’t in the forefront of Davies’ mind now that Demarai Gray has re-signed for the club. Blues managed to lure Gray back to St Andrew’s nine years after his exit for Leicester City, signing him from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq on a free transfer.
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