Birmingham City will battle it out to secure the signing of defender this summer

Reports suggest that Birmingham City has joined Sheffield United in the pursuit of Leeds United defender Luke Ayling for a summer transfer. Ayling, aged 32, joined Leeds from Bristol City in 2016 and has amassed over 200 appearances for the club across various competitions, including the Championship, domestic cups, and Premier League.

After falling out of favor under Daniel Farke, Ayling was loaned out to Middlesbrough in January, where he has since made 18 starts under Michael Carrick’s management, registering six assists in the process. With his contract at Elland Road set to expire this summer, Ayling has attracted interest from multiple Championship clubs ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

According to The Sun, both Birmingham City and Sheffield United are considering a move for the experienced defender. Sheffield United, recently relegated from the Premier League, view Ayling as a potential asset in their bid to secure promotion back to the top flight for the 2024/25 season.

Meanwhile, Birmingham City, currently facing their own relegation battle in the Championship, may struggle to convince Ayling to drop down to League One if they fail to avoid the bottom three.

Michael Carrick, manager of Middlesbrough, addressed Ayling’s future in April, emphasizing that Ayling remains a part of the team’s plans regardless of his loan status or contract situation.