Remember Carlos Vicente, he of big Birmingham City claims all of a week ago? Well, the Spanish media are trying to drag the Blues back in, but there’s also a big development from the Netherlands.
As a recap, earlier in January it was reported the Championship club had made a substantial offer to Alavés. The amount of that offer wasn’t revealed.
Then it was reported that if Alavés were to sell the winger then they wanted close to his €20m release clause. Initially that appeared to be a hollow bargaining stance over the 26-year-old, but then the Basque club told their local media they really meant it.
Such a figure just didn’t make sense, as Sport Witness explained at the time: ‘Alavés have only sold three players for more than €10m in their history, and none of those hit €20m.
‘Indeed, one of those sales is Javi Moreno moving to AC Milan in July 2001. He’d played five time for Spain’s senior national team in the months leading up to that transfer, hence the price.
‘The most recent is Joaquín Panichelli, who moved to Strasbourg for €17m in July 2025. Last season, the 23-year-old Argentine striker scored 21 goals and added eight assists in 44 matches. He’s since gone on to score 10 goals for Strasbourg already and been linked, albeit weakly, with a switch to sister club Chelsea.
‘There’s no serious argument for Carlos Vicente costing similar or even more.’
Player’s earnings could be key
Alavés still want to bring their own players in and need funds. That provided some hope for Birmingham City.
As did Vicente’s situation. He moved to the Basque club from Racing Ferrol and hasn’t signed a new contract since. The winger’s current deal expires in June 2027 and his wages will be low.
Indeed, his career earnings will be relatively low as a whole and he’d surely push for a move to a bigger contract.
Birmingham City ‘preliminary agreement’ claimed
Spain’s Fichajes now report Alavés are considering selling Vicente to Birmingham City… for €7m.
That amount is said to be attractive to them. Whilst the lower figure makes some sense, the report appears to have come from nowhere.
There’s nothing to back it up yet, however, it’s unlikely it’s been plucked from thin air, partly because it’s not exactly January blockbuster material.
And here’s another twist. Voetbal International, a reliable media source in the Netherlands, now report Ajax are moving for Vicente. They want him to replace Raul Moro, who has gone to Osasuna. Jordi Cruyff is personally pushing it.
Voetbal International add: ‘Birmingham City had already reached a preliminary agreement with Alavés regarding a transfer for Vicente, but Ajax has now joined the fray and is fully committed. Vicente can sign a multi-year contract with Ajax.’
Ajax or Birmingham City? It may be down to the player.
