Birmingham City will have to pay a compensation fee to Leeds United if they sign Cody Drameh permanently, according to recent reports.
Drameh came up through Thorp Arch’s academy and was one of several players who made their first-team debuts under famed manager Marcelo Bielsa. However, after his debut in October 2021, the teenager only made nine more appearances for the team.
Earlier in the season, the 22-year-old played for Daniel Farke in the Championship and EFL Cup before being loaned out to St. Andrew’s. It was reported that Birmingham City’s agreement includes an option-to-buy clause.
Despite a strong start to the season under former head coach John Eustace, the Blues have struggled in the second tier in recent months. Since joining the Midlands club, Drameh has had three different managers, including Manchester United great Wayne Rooney.
The Dulwich-born fullback has made 28 appearances for Birmingham, becoming a staple in a struggling team that is currently level on points with the relegation zone following three straight league defeats.
According to Football Insider, Drameh’s 20-minute cameo in a 4-3 victory against Ipswich Town was his final appearance for Leeds, as the club does not plan to extend his contract before it expires this summer.
According to Transfermarkt, Birmingham would be required to pay an unknown compensation sum to the Yorkshire club for the defender, who is presently valued at £2.5 million.
Writer’s perspective
This transaction is a little odd because the player is out of contract at the end of the season, yet Birmingham City has the option to buy him after his contract expires, despite the fact that he will be a free agency. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, this clause is in place to prioritise the Blues over other interested parties in acquiring him.
However, a deal with the West Midlands club may become much more difficult in the coming months if the Blues are relegated to League One for the first time in three decades, which is looking increasingly likely.
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