Exclusive: Lee Hendrie issues warning to Birmingham City's Ethan Laird as deal nears for 23-cap international | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Birmingham City closing in on a deal to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that Bright Osayi-Samuel can offer Birmingham City something different to Ethan Laird as they close in on the signing of the Nigeria international.

According to Mike McGrath, the right-back is closing in on a move to Blues following his exit from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe.

Osayi-Samuel, who was a winger during his time in England with QPR earlier in his career but has since moved further back on the pitch, has been in Türkiye since 2021, but has left Fenerbahce following the end of his contract.

Chris Davies is looking to build a side capable of competing for promotion to the Premier League next season, having led Birmingham to promotion from League One in the previous campaign.

Lee Hendrie issues Bright Osayi-Samuel claim

Hendrie, an ex-Aston Villa midfielder prior to his move into punditry, expects that Osayi-Samuel’s arrival at St. Andrew's could have an impact on Ethan Laird’s game time next season.

But he believes the 27-year-old will offer Davies’ side something different, and that the defender will have benefited from his time in Türkiye as he embarks on a return to English football.

“Birmingham are constantly linked with players, and I think Bright Osayi-Samuel, I saw him at QPR, obviously before he left the football club, and I’ve always been a big fan of him,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“He’s very direct in his game, and obviously they’ve got Ethan Laird there.

“It could affect his game time, yes, there’s every chance.

“He is more further up the pitch, and that’s why I think they’ve chose to try and get him in.

“But a very good player, and I’m sure going away, playing in a different environment he will have learned a hell of a lot.”

Birmingham have made a busy start to the summer transfer window, with the newly-promoted side already bringing in three fresh faces.

Phil Neumann completed his move to St. Andrew’s from Hannover of Germany following his pre-contract agreement from earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Alfons Sampsted have both joined on a permanent basis after spending time at the club on loan last season.

Bright Osayi-Samuel as a free agent is a big market opportunity for Birmingham City

Laird proved a very useful part of Birmingham's' title-winning team last year as they stormed League One to earn a record 111 points.

But signing someone like Osayi-Samuel as a free agent is a strong market opportunity that the club feel they need to strike on.

He is a promising addition, having plied his trade at the top level in Türkiye, as well as in European competition for Fenerbahce.

This could prove a very smart piece of business, and the increased competition for game-time could be just what Laird needs to further step up his game, which will need to come with the step up of a level from League One to the Championship.