•  Jay Stansfield, the 21-year-old striker currently on loan at Birmingham City, is attracting interest from Ipswich Town and Sunderland.
•  Ipswich Town have already opened talks with Fulham over a potential deal to bring Stansfield to Portman Road for the rest of the season.
•  Stansfield has been a bright spark for Birmingham City, scoring seven goals and providing two assists so far this season. Fulham may recall him depending on financial factors, but it is expected that he will be re-called due to the interest and Birmingham’s current situation.

Given the happenings at Birmingham City this week, it is only natural that

Wayne Rooney and the hunt for his replacement have dominated news about the team.

Earlier this week, their now-former manager was fired, having only led the Blues to two league victories.

However, it’s possible that Rooney isn’t the only player departing St Andrews in the January transfer window.

Jay Stansfield interesting Ipswich Town and Sunderland

Although Jay Stansfield, a promising striker, joined the team in the summer, Fulham has the option to summon him back this month if they so want.

It’s been said that Birmingham City hasn’t been told yet that they plan to do this. But, there is still a chance that it will occur.

This is a result of Stansfield piqueing the interest of opposing factions.

One team that has been connected to the 21-year-old is Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys and Fulham have reportedly started preliminary negotiations on a possible deal that would see him go from St. Andrews to Portman Road for the duration of the season, according to Football Insider.

In light of their own striker problems, Sunderland is apparently another team interested in the young forward.

Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has reported that Stansfield is one of a number of strikers the Black Cats are keeping an eye on as the winter window opens.

Carlton Palmer discusses Ipswich and Sunderland’s interest in Jay Stansfield

Reacting to the above transfer links, former England international midfielder

and pundit Carlton Palmer has discussed Stansfield’s future below.

Palmer believes Stansfield has been a bright spark for Birmingham so far this season, but given their recent decline,

expects Fulham to send him elsewhere for the rest of the campaign.

Palmer told FLW that “Ipswich and Sunderland are both keen to sign Fulham striker Jay Stansfield.”

“Jay, who is at Birmingham City on loan right now, might be called back before moving to another team in January.

“With seven goals and two assists throughout all competitions this season, Jay has been a major asset for Birmingham.

Rumor has it that Ipswich has started talks with Fulham. Fulham has the option to recall him, give him another loan to a different team, or sell him permanently.

“Fulham has not yet stated if they would call him back, but money will always be the deciding factor in their decisions, whether it’s a one-time loan payment or a permanent move.

“Considering the interest in Jay, and the plight of Birmingham City at the moment, I do expect him to be recalled.”

Jay Stansfield’s season at Birmingham City so far

Described above as a bright spark for Birmingham City so far this season, it is clear to see why.

The 21-year-old has netted seven goals for the Blues, making him the club’s top goalscorer.