Explained: Why Tom Brady & Birmingham can win Amad Diallo transfer race despite sacking Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney

The Blues, who now have NFL legend Tom Brady as an investor at St Andrew’s, are in the market for a new manager after giving ex-England captain Rooney just 15 games at the helm. There are suggestions that former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray could be next man up in the West Midlands.

His appointment could work in Birmingham’s favour when it comes to putting January transfer deals in place – with Ivory Coast international winger Amad apparently being lined up for another loan move. He has worked with Mowbray before at the Stadium of Light – hitting 14 goals last season – and could link up with Brady and Co before the winter window closes.

West Midlands native Carlton Palmer believes Birmingham can fend off rival interest in order to land Amad, with the ex-England international telling Football League World: “Amad Diallo had a successful spell at Sunderland last season where he was their player of the season and he was absolutely outstanding. He picked up a knee injury in pre-season that’s kept him out. He’s fully fit now. He really enjoyed his time at Sunderland but he was working under Tony Mowbray, and he made it clear that he would go back to work for Tony Mowbray. This could put a spanner in the works because although Sunderland are keen to sign him, if Tony Mowbray gets the Birmingham job then I’m sure Amad will be keen to join him there. Leicester City are apparently interested in signing the player, and if he’s got the chance of playing for a side that’s going to get back to the Premier League, then of course he’s going to be interested in going there.”

Amad suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season, but he has returned to action at Manchester United – seeing his first competitive minutes for them in over two years – and is expected to look for a move that will allow him, at 21 years of age, to find the regular football he needs in 2024.