Sporting Gijon are interested in signing Birmingham City midfielder Fran Villalba this summer,  according to El Gol Digital.

Villalba arrived at St. Andrew's from Valencia in the summer of 2019, but things haven't quite worked out for him since making the move from Spain to England.

The 23-year-old has since made only 17 appearances for Blues, scoring one goal and failing to register a single assist.

Villalba has spent the last 18 months on loan in Spain with UD Almeria, scoring give goals and registering six assists in a total of 53 games.

He failed to get the club over the line in the race for promotion via the Segunda Division play-offs, though, and is now due to return to pre-season training with Blues with only one year left on his contract at St. Andrew's.

But interest has now emerged from Sporting Gijon, as per El Gol Digital, with the Spanish club braced for interest in star player Manu Garcia.

Blues are said to be interested in loaning out Villalba for the final year of his contract, as Lee Bowyer continues to reshape his squad ahead of next season.

The Verdict

It's hard to see where Villalba fits in at Birmingham under Bowyer to be honest.

He just hasn't seemed to cope with the physicality and speed of the Championship since moving to England, and for me, he wouldn't suit Bowyer's style of play.

They have already brought in Jordan Graham on a free this summer, and with Ivan Sanchez and Jeremie Bela also impressing last season, surely the end of the road is near for Villalba.