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Could this former loanee aid Blues’ defensive problems?

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It is no secret that as well as a striker being wanted by Birmingham City boss Gray Rowett during this summer transfer window, a central defender is wanted as well and I believe there is one former loanee who could be an option for the gaffer.

No, it’s not the rumoured defender that you are thinking of in the form of Derby County defender Ryan Shotton, but in actual fact it is Swansea City centre half, Kyle Bartley.

The 25-year-old defender played for Blues during the 2013/14 season and made 19 appearances for the club, scoring three goals, including a brace against Huddersfield Town, a game in which he was also sent off in for over celebration.

However, his loan spell was cut short with his parent club recalling him at the very end of January, only for him to go and make just three further appearances for the Swans in the Premier League that season.

The six foot defender currently has one year left on his contract, similar to Shotton at Derby, and after only playing eight games in all competitions last season, I believe the Welsh side would be willing to part with Bartley.

With it being believed that Swansea are set to sign Ajax defender Mike van der Hoorn for a fee in the region of £2 million, they might be willing to sell Bartley for just shy of his current value which is around £500,000 to £750,000.

Personally, I thought that when Bartley was with Blues during that horrible season we had, he was one of the best defenders in the league who attacked the ball well in both boxes and although Shotton looks the likelier of the two players to move to the club, there would be no harm in having the former Arsenal man on the books at the club.

I think I speak for quite a few fans when it comes to the centre back position, we need somebody who can match Michael Morrison’s enthusiasm and desire, and personally, I think that Bartley would give us that and if we had both Shotton and Bartley on board, we would be able to rotate things around should we need to.

Blues fans, would you like to see Kyle Bartley return to the club if it was possible for a deal to be done this summer? Let us know in the comment section down below!

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