According to Florian Plettenberg, English League One side Birmingham City have agreed to sign Hannover 96 defender Phil Neumann.
It had previously been reported that the Blues were eyeing up a move for the 27-year-old centre-back as they looked to make him their first signing of the January transfer window.
However, while Neumann will join Birmingham, as it stands, he will only join up with his new side in the summer.
The defender’s deal at the Heinz von Heiden-Arena was set to expire in the summer, which has allowed the Blues to sign Neumann on a free transfer.
Nevertheless, Birmingham could still negotiate a fee with Hannover to bring the 27-year-old to St. Andrews earlier than planned, but no official bid has been made as of yet.
It is understood that the 2. Bundesliga side are hopeful of keeping Neumann at the club this winter as they look to fight for promotion to the Bundesliga, sitting just one point behind third-placed Hamburger SV in the table.
Regardless, despite interest from a number of Bundesliga sides, such as Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg, and Union Berlin, Neumann will become a Birmingham City player.
GGFN | Will Shopland
