Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner has given his personal backing to a high-priority January transfer target, with the Austrian manager personally pushing owner Evangelos Marinakis to secure a blockbuster winter deal for Birmingham City defender Phil Neumann.
Having been granted full control over recruitment during a transformative summer window—which saw the marquee arrivals of Daniel Muñoz, Xaver Schlager, Liam Delap, and Ousmane Diomandé—Glasner is once again calling the shots as Forest prepare for a crucial mid-season window.
According to a fresh update from Sky Sports Germany, Forest have moved into “pole position” to land the 29-year-old German center-back, whom EFL expert Sam Parkin recently hailed as a “colossal” presence during Birmingham’s charge to the top of the Championship table.
Contingency Planning: Why Glasner Wants Neumann Now
While Forest already possess elite defensive options, the interest in Neumann comes amid heavy transfer speculation surrounding star central defenders Murillo and Nikola Milenković, both of whom continue to draw interest from European heavyweights.
Glasner is taking zero chances with his defensive depth ahead of the second half of the Premier League season:
- Incredible Championship Form: Since joining Birmingham City on a free transfer from Hannover 96 in the summer of 2025, Neumann has anchored the division’s best backline, driving the Blues to the summit of the second tier.
- Glasner’s Tactical Blueprint: Known for his demanding, physical 3-4-2-1 system, Glasner views Neumann as an ideal right-sided center-back who can step straight into top-flight intensity without requiring an adjustment period.
- Squad Opening: With third-choice goalkeeper John Victor heavily linked with an exit to South American giants Vasco da Gama, Forest will free up vital foreign squad registration spots ahead of January 1st.
”Hard to Imagine”: Can Forest Tear Neumann Away from Title-Chasing Birmingham?
Despite Forest’s financial muscle and Premier League pull, prying Neumann away from St. Andrew’s midway through the campaign presents a massive negotiation challenge.
Birmingham City currently sit first in the Championship and are fiercely protective of their core starting lineup as they target automatic promotion back to the Premier League:
- Mid-Season Resistance: Birmingham hierarchy members are extremely reluctant to sanction a sale for their defensive leader during a historic promotion push.
- Defensive Logjam Question: At 29 years old, Neumann represents a departure from Forest’s usual strategy of signing under-23 talent—raising questions over how Glasner plans to manage his rotation alongside summer signing Ousmane Diomandé.
A High-Stakes Winter Ahead at the City Ground
With the January window rapidly approaching, Glasner’s insistence on landing Neumann highlights the board’s commitment to backing their head coach in the transfer market.
If Forest can overcome Birmingham’s resistance and pull off the transfer, Glasner will lock down one of the most reliable defenders outside the top flight—ensuring Nottingham Forest possess the defensive depth required to sustain their Premier League status and push toward the top half of the table.
