Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Mon 2 June 2025 14:24, UK

Birmingham City have given the green light to Marc Leonard being loaned out next season, sources have told Football Insider.

The 23-year-old is wanted by multiple Championship clubs this summer.

Leonard, who arrived at Birmingham from Brighton last summer, made 47 appearances in all competitions for the Blues during their record-breaking campaign last season.

However, the former Rangers youth player was largely confined to the substitutes’ bench during their title-winning season in League One.

Marc Leonard’s minutes spell out reason for new challenge

Leonard started just 14 of Birmingham’s 46 third-tier games in the 2024-25 campaign and completed 90 minutes on just five occasions.

The formidable pairing of Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata blocked his path to regular first-team football under Chris Davies.

With Birmingham stepping up to the Championship and expected to make further signings, Leonard is set to be allowed to move on for a new challenge.

The Blues will discover their first Championship opponents later this month with the new season set to kick off on 9 August.

Davies’ side are expected to be active in the transfer market despite spending mega money on their title-winning side last summer (2024).

Rangers boss search holds up Blues’ transfer plans

Meanwhile, Rangers’ ongoing search for a new first-team manager is reportedly impacting the transfer plans of Birmingham as they plot new deals for Ben Davies and Kieran Dowell.

Both players spent time on loan at St. Andrew’s from the Glasgow giants and enjoyed important roles for Chris Davies‘ side last term.

It has been reported that Birmingham are keen to re-sign the duo on permanent deals.

However, it appears they will have to wait until Rangers have appointed a new manager before any arrangement can be struck.

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