According to Sky Sports transfer centre (October 16, 16:21), Birmingham City have agreed a deal to sign reported Sheffield Wednesday target Jake Clarke-Salter.
The Chelsea youngster has been heavily linked with a loan move.
At 23, his chances of breaking into Chelsea’s first-team eleven appeared slim therefore a loan to the Championship always appeared on the cards.
But according to West London Sport on Thursday, Sheffield Wednesday were the frontrunners for him while Derby County and Huddersfield Town were also keen.
The Owls, however, have now reportedly missed out on his signature.
Sky Sports claim Clarke-Salter has agreed to join Championship rivals Birmingham.
The central defender re-joins the Blues having spent last season on loan at St Andrew’s – his second loan spell in the Championship after a previous stint at Sunderland.
It’s disappointing for Wednesday who seemingly wanted to add another defender to provide competition to Dominic Iorfa, Tom Lees, Joost Van Aken and Liam Shaw.
But on the flip side, the Owls managed to bring in a new striker – Jack Marriott on loan from Derby – which would have been Garry Monk’s top priority ahead of the deadline.
Clarke-Salter, meanwhile, can look forward to another spell at Birmingham under the guidance of manager Aitor Karanka who is proven to be a top defensive coach.
Karanka, who previously worked as an assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, earned promotion at Middlesbrough with an excellent defensive record.
Clarke-Salter will feel he can improve further while he may have one eye on a long-term move as his contract at Stamford Bridge begins to wind down.
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