2HJJT74 DERBY, UK. JAN 30TH Blues players celebrate after Scott Hogan of Birmingham City scored a goal to make it 0-2 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Birmingham City at the Pride Park, Derby on Sunday 30th January 2022. (Credit: Jon Hobley | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
Luke Ayling is on loan from Middlesbrough and has been playing well since going to the Riverside in January. Birmingham City is the most recent team to be linked to an interest in the player.
Ayling, who joined Boro during the winter transfer window after a disappointing first half of the season at Leeds United, when he started only one game after September, has looked impressive in his eighteen outings for the team thus far.
It’s already known that he will leave Leeds this summer because he is no longer under contract at Elland Road, but it’s unclear where he will end up. The 32-year-old right-back’s performance on and off the field since joining Boro has been lauded by Michael Carrick, and they will probably be vying for his signature.
But, prior to the summer, there is growing interest in the veteran; Sheffield United, who are supported by parachute payments, was earlier said to be interested, and Birmingham has since been suggested as well. After what he’s shown at Boro thus far, it’s very probable that he will attract more suitors.
Birmingham will fight to stay in the Championship, and the relegation fight will go down to the very last day. Despite starting the game one point from safety and with a favorable goal differential, the Blues are in the bottom three. They do, however, host Norwich City, who still need to secure a spot in the playoffs.
