Birmingham City might be able to sign a player this summer after all, after a loophole was found in the transfer embargo rules they're currently bound by.

The Blues have been unable to bring in new faces after being hit by the embargo as a result of breaking financial fair play rules.

The club have desperately sought ways out of the predicament, having sold naming rights of St Andrew's and their training ground to help generate income. The ground has been rebranded as St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium whilst the training facility takes on the same moniker.

However, there is also growing frustration towards Blues chief executive Xuandong Ren over how he has handled the issue and how it might impact the upcoming season.

That could all be about to change, according to Birmingham Live. The Blues are looking to exploit the EFL ruling will permit the signing of a player if the club’s current squad consists of less than 24 senior players and if the incoming player is paid less than £600,000 a year.

Even if the club in question has 24 players, they can sell a player and replace him with a player who is on 75% of the wages of the outgoing player and conforms to the 'less than £600,000' rules.

Garry Monk currently has less than 24 senior players, and is thought to be looking into deals on that basis.

The Verdict

It seems a bit late to be finding this out now! £600,000 a year might sound like an awful lot of money to you or I, but it isn't a big money for a Championship footballer and this loophole will surely only open up a small loan market for the less-than-lavishly paid young players in the top flight.

It is a slither of hope though, a belief that maybe they can bring in someone to help the cause which I'm sure will be a some small comfort to the beleaguered manager.