"A risk" - Birmingham City concern raised after Blackburn Rovers, George Hall news | OneFootball

John Eustace is said to be keen on swooping for one of his old Birmingham City players

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City midfielder George Hall is said to be a target for Blackburn Rovers in the final few days of the transfer window.

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claims that former Blues boss John Eustace is said to be keen on the 20-year-old, having used him extensively during his time at St Andrews.

After spending some time on the sidelines during the previous campaign, current City boss Chris Davies confirmed Hall would likely go out on loan this season, before Rovers turned their attention to the young talent.

Birmingham have a decision to make about the England youth international’s future in the coming days, and Football League World’s Blues fan pundit Mike Gibbs believes the club shouldn’t be pushing their talent out the door anytime soon.

John Eustace keen on George Hall reunion at Blackburn Rovers

It is no secret that Eustace is a keen admirer of Hall, having made the wide man a regular in his starting lineup during his 15-month spell in charge of Birmingham earlier in his career.

Even at 18 years of age, the Blues academy graduate was seen as a vital piece of the puzzle at Championship level, and the Rovers boss now looks set to try to lure the budding talent to Lancashire for a return to the second tier.

That form in the early stages of his career saw both Leeds United and Liverpool cast an eye over him in 2023, with many believing he has a bright future in the game.

Hamstring injuries saw Hall limited to just nine appearances in all competitions during the previous campaign, and upon his return to fitness, Davies was keen to offer the 20-year-old a move to a divisional rival or a League Two side to get extra minutes in the bank.

But Rovers have put a spanner in the works with their reported interest, although Gibbs is keen for his side to reject any advances from their old manager.

The Blues fan said: “I think it would probably be a risk to sell George Hall, primarily because I don’t think we would get a huge amount for him right now.

“He’s had a couple of years where he has been very injury hit, and hasn’t played a full campaign.

“It is more of a case that he has got the potential rather than he has performed for a year and shown what he can do, not of the ilk of Jordan James who obviously had a full season in the Championship.

“So for me, I think it would be a risk getting rid of him, I think we would be losing out on would could be a much higher transfer fee down the line.”

Patience is needed from George Hall and Birmingham City

There is no doubting that Hall has a bright future in the game, as long as he can stay injury free and get plenty of game time under his belt in the next few years.

Therefore, a move to Rovers might not be the best thing for his career at this moment in time, with a side in the third or fourth tier able to give him guaranteed minutes, and plenty of confidence once he heads back to St Andrews.

Birmingham’s aspirations are to be back in the Championship next season, and if all goes to plan, Gibbs believes Hall would be back to his best once his side are back in the second tier, and ready to take on the best the EFL has to offer once again.

He continued: “I think going to a League One or League Two side on loan would be a really good move for him.

“If he can stay fit and recapture some of that form, he could be a huge asset next season.”