Birmingham City's failed January move for Abdoulie Manneh revealed

Birmingham City's January move for Gambian winger Abdoulie Manneh collapsed after he failed a medical, his representative has confirmed, with the player left psychologically affected by the setback.

Birmingham City's January move for Gambian winger Abdoulie Manneh collapsed after he failed a medical. The 21-year-old was set to travel to the West Midlands to complete the transfer before the deal was called off at the last minute.

Baboucarr Fallaboweh, a Gambian football expert based in Sweden, confirmed the details. "I think with Birmingham [City], he failed the medical," Fallaboweh said. "Psychologically, he was down, just like with Olympiacos." The player's entourage were deeply disappointed by the outcome, which left Manneh feeling mentally and psychologically affected. His career has since taken a different path, with a season-long loan to Belgian side Cercle Brugge arranged last month, though a fitness issue has prevented his debut there.

Manneh's background and prior interest

Manneh had attracted significant attention before Birmingham's approach. Olympiacos came close to signing him last summer before that move also fell through. Other English sides, including Coventry City, Stoke City, AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, were all reported to have tracked his progress. The winger was coming off a strong 2025 season with Swedish club Mjällby AIF, where he scored seven goals and provided three assists, helping them win the Allsvenskan championship. In total, he made 73 appearances for Mjällby, contributing 13 goals and seven assists.

Current Birmingham City context

The club, now under the ownership of Knighthead Capital Management and managed by Chris Davies, continues its push for a Premier League return. Birmingham City finished 10th in the Championship last season, their best league finish in a decade, and were active in both transfer windows. That ambition remains this term, with the side currently sitting 10th in the table on 11 points after eight games. Their recent form reads one win, three draws and one defeat from the last five outings. They face a key test in their next fixture, a trip to local rivals West Brom on 10 October.

Fallaboweh expressed his preference for seeing Manneh in England, stating he would have preferred the player to be in the Championship with Birmingham City rather than in Belgium. The transfer fee for the proposed move was never disclosed. For the latest on the Blues' squad as they seek attacking options, supporters can check the squad list. Birmingham City's next match is away at The Hawthorns on 10 October.