Sources: Birmingham City make Roberts U-turn after multiple offers
Birmingham City have rejected a number of approaches for defender Mitchell Roberts, Football Insider has learned.
Multiple League Two clubs have made enquiries about taking the 20-year-old on loan before the close of the transfer window on Tuesday.
A Birmingham source has told Football Insider that the club have rebuffed all offers for Roberts, as he is seen as a part of Lee Bowyer’s first-team plans at St Andrew’s.
Roberts enjoyed an impressive debut for Birmingham against Fulham in the EFL Cup last week.
His performance has prompted a U-turn at St Andrew’s about their plans.
The highly-regarded defender, who can play as a left-back or left-sided centre-back, was expected to go out on loan to gain valuable first-team experience in the Football League.
But Bowyer now wants him to remain with the Blues first team.
Roberts had a spell out on loan at Harrogate Town last season.
However, injury restricted him to just four appearances for the League Two outfit as the Railwaymen finished 17th.
Several League Two sides were keen to take Roberts on loan this season.
However, Birmingham have decided to reject the overtures and keep him at St Andrew’s.
The news will come as a major blow to Roberts’ suitors as they had targeted him to bolster their defensive options in a loan move.
Roberts, who is captain of Birmingham’s Under-23s side, will now be hoping to build on his outstanding display against Fulham to become a first-team regular.
In other news, Blackpool have submitted a six-figure bid for this ex-Liverpool star.