Birmingham City Team news & rumours

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From the official site

QUINTET DEPART
Blues can today confirm that a number of players are to leave the club following the expiry of their contracts.

Franck Queudrue, Gary McSheffrey, Gregory Vignal, Artur Krysiak and Jared Wilson will depart St. Andrew's on 30 June.

Queudrue, who joined Blues from Fulham in 2007 made a total of 51 appearances during his time at the club, scoring three goals. The likeable Frenchman was named as the club's Player of the Year for the 2008/09 season. In March 2010, he joined League One side Colchester United on loan but was restricted to just three appearances because of injury.

Gary McSheffrey joined Blues from Midlands neighbours Coventry in August 2006. He was the club's top scorer in the 2006-07 season with a 16-goal haul. In total he played 96 times for Blues, scoring 20 goals. In January 2010 he joined Leeds United on loan, where he made 11 appearances and scored a solitary goal as the Whites were promoted back to the Championship.

Defender Gregory Vignal moved to Blues in August 2009 from French side FC Lens on a one-year-deal. The Frenchman found his playing chances limited to just nine outings during the successful 2009/10 campaign because of injury and the form of Liam Ridgewell.

Young Polish goalkeeper Artur Krysiak joined Blues' Academy in August 2006. He failed to make any first team appearances for Blues and spent several spells out on loan. He was with League Two side Burton Albion on loan throughout the 2009/10 campaign, where he made 40 appearances before picking up ankle injury last month.

The final player to leave the club is right back Jared Wilson. The 21-year-old Cheltenham born full back is a product of Blues' Academy, which he joined at the age of just 12-years-old. He made his one and only first team appearance in October 2008 after coming on as first half substitute during Blues' Championship game against QPR.

Blues have previously confirmed the exits of Joe Hart, Lee Carsley, Shaun Timmins and Jacob Rowe from the professional playing staff.

Meanwhile Teemu Tainio has returned to Sunderland following the end of his season long loan at St. Andrew's. The Finnish international made a total of six appearances for Blues.

Kiwi_knock

a good summer clearout underway, hopefully we get quality replacements in soon rather than having to wait till August for them.

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Hope so

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We've just bid 8 million for Nzogbia according to SSN

invinciblePRSTV

N'Zogbia is a prospect and has been linked to big clubs before. But tbh Wigan to Blues would be a sideways move for him, he can do better.

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Why sideways

invinciblePRSTV

He's went from Newcastle to Wigan and now linked with Blues, 3 teams which are not going to be bothering the PL elite any time in the near future imo. Seeing as he has been linked with the likes of Arsenal previously then i think his next move will surely be a step up to a top 8 team.

Kiwi_knock

I think he would be good for the team, however 8 million seems a bit much but I suppose that is what it costs to get in Premiership class players

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i think we got this player also Katlego Mphela http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/05/16/1927740/south-africa-4-0-thailand-bafana-thrash-asian-minnows

MuPpItJoCkEy

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

N'Zogbia is a prospect and has been linked to big clubs before. But tbh Wigan to Blues would be a sideways move for him, he can do better.

Not sure if Whelan would sell to Birmingham to be honest. I think his stance is that he wouldn't stand in the way of a player who was going to go to a top club but I'm not sure he would allow a player of his going to a club which might be in direct competition for league places with themselves.

Kiwi_knock

I think the South African would be a good signing, has a good goal scoring record. Would still like to see a proven Premiership forward signed, we need a guarantee of goals.

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O'Connor signed a new contract:eek:

Kiwi_knock

Ah O'Connor did not have a chance to impress this year with injuries. Mc Leish rates him highly, supposely the best finisher in the squad (Not hard to be honest. I expected him to be here next year, good option to have on the bench.

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Sorry Offered


Birmingham City offer new deal to Garry O'Connor
May 17 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
Add a commentRecommend ALEX McLeish today confirmed that Blues have offered Garry O’Connor a new contract.

The striker’s present deal is due to expire this summer and Blues hold a two-year option on his services.

They have decided not to take the option up but instead table new terms.

Usually when options are activated, the player in question remains on at least the same money.

However, in this case, it is likely that as Blues don’t feel they can hand O’Connor his present salary because of his recent injury record, so his wages could be reduced somewhat.

“We have talked to Garry about an extension of his contract,” McLeish told the Birmingham Mail.

“He has been out injured a long time so we’ve needed to reassess things.

“But my physios in the building are saying he has been training at a very good intensity just now. They are really delighted with his progress.

“So there could be a wee bit of scope there for a contract.”

O’Connor started six times in the early part of the Premier League season, and came off the substitutes’ bench to score the winner at Hull City.

But he then succumbed to a groin and hip problem in October, which required delicate surgery, and didn’t see any action thereafter. Last season in the Championship O’Connor began the season in fine form, forging a good partnership with Kevin Phillips and scoring five goals as Blues made their best-ever start to a league campaign.

But his groins began to cause trouble and he was ruled out from November onwards and returned in the spring.

Signed by Steve Bruce for £2.65 million from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer of 2007, O’Connor has not had an injury-free run at Blues in the last two years, hence the relative caution on his contract.

For similar reasons, Blues have offered Stuart Parnaby a fresh deal, but not taken up his 12-month option.

Before and following the release of Christian Benitez after his loan from Santos Laguna – there is strong interest from Spain as well as West Ham United – McLeish has been busying himself addressing the options up front.

He sees O’Connor as a valuable squad member to go with at least two new additions, if not three, depending on whether Phillips – another due to be out of contract – accepts a new deal.

Marcus Bent remains contracted to Blues until 2011, plus a year’s option. But he has long since been made available for transfer and spent spells on loan to Middlesbrough and QPR this season.

McLeish could make a firm move for Fulham’s Bobby Zamora this week but interest in him has rocketed due to his exploits for the Cottagers.

West Ham want around £15 million for Carlton Cole and any negotiations between the Chinese owners and their predecessors could well prove fraught anyway.

As for goalkeeper Ben Foster, talks about personal terms continued over the weekend after a fee, of an initial £4 million – as revealed by the Birmingham Mail several days ago – was agreed with Manchester United.

McLeish wouldn’t give anything away but Blues are edging ever closer to tieing up the transfer.

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http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2054796,00.html


New Signing

Kiwi_knock

Never heard of him, good one for the future maybe. Good to see reinforcements coming in to replace those leaving

Gillington

Ben Foster in contract talks with Birmingham according to SSN.

Good signing imo

Neil3030

Gillington wrote: »

Ben Foster in contract talks with Birmingham according to SSN.

Good signing imo

Loan or permanent? Decent keeper.

Frisbee

Permanent, think the figure touted was 6M.

Decent keeper who just needs a run of games to get his confidence up. Guess this means you won't be getting Hart back next season.

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http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2046409,00.html


Done deal

Kiwi_knock

Good signing, hopefully he can turn out like Hart and this time we wont have to send him back at the end of the season.

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http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=2&art_id=98476&sid=28308275&con_type=1&d_str=20100520&fc=7

The money starting to roll in

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Nark Wolves again if we landed him



Birmingham have joined the race for Burnley striker Steven Fletcher as their hopes of landing Bobby Zamora fade.

Brum boss Alex McLeish has made Fulham hot-shot Zamora his No.1 transfer target this summer.

But the striker, set to have an operation on his Achilles, wants more than £40,000-a-week to leave Craven Cottage in an £8million deal.

Blues are reluctant to spend that much on an aging player who may have little re-sale value, and they have also been put off by West Ham's £15m asking price for Carlton Cole.


So City are now ready to rival neighbouring Wolves by bidding £6m for Fletcher.

The former Hibernian trainee impressed at Burnley last term, scoring 12 goals following a £3m move from Easter Road.

Now City are ready to table an official bid to Burnley for Fletcher, who is definitely wanted by Wolves.

Brum have also had a £1.5m bid rejected for Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky, who was revealed as a St Andrews target by MirrorFootball

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FC Lorient forward Kévin Gameiro is flying into Birmingham today for talks over a possible €6.25m move to the English Premier League club.

The player, who started his career at RC Strasbourg, is a former France youth international who has earnt caps at under-18, under-20 and under-21 level.

Gameiro plays as a striker, but can be also utilized on the wings. Gameiro also has Portuguese heritage meaning he is eligible to represent Portugal on international level, as well as his home country France.

He has scored 17 goals this season in 36 appearances for FC Lorient.

It is understood that Gameiro has stated a desire to move to England. Newcastle and West Ham United are monitoring the situation.

Kiwi_knock

Never heard of him but good to see another player being linked with us. We do need another winger/striker, which ever position Alex has looked at him for

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_6165646,00.html I think he is worth it

JPA

It would be a surprising move from N'Zogbia, you would think he would have better options, quite a sideways step if he took it.

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Why sideways we finished 9th

JPA

Pot wrote:

Why sideways we finished 9th

Similar size clubs I mean.

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JPA wrote: »

Similar size clubs I mean.

Ok then i am humbled They say we are a sleeping giant hope it comes true

JPA

Ye must be very tired.

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JPA wrote: »

Ye must be very tired.

:P

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Birmingham-star-Sebastian-Larsson-breaks-off-contract-talks-exclusive-article433375.html

Kiwi_knock

Pot wrote:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Birmingham-star-Sebastian-Larsson-breaks-off-contract-talks-exclusive-article433375.html

No way is he deserving of 30 grand a week, he is good but not that good. If he gets that then all the players will want it and we will end up in a situation like Portsmouth where average players are on big money. If he is that greedy I do not want him at the club.

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2984125/Birmingham-set-their-sights-on-Nikola-Zigic.html


Nicola Zigic 6' 7" Striker :eek:

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Link to story from Sky - fee agreed but Zigic away with Serbia team (so medical may be some way off). Personal details could be agreed with his agent though in advance of medical.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_6171829,00.html

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http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2058121,00.html
Full confirmation above. Done deal for around £6m.

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http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2058359,00.html



This one also Enric Valles on a Bosman

applehunter

Pot wrote:

http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2058121,00.html
Full confirmation above. Done deal for around £6m.

Remember him playing for Red Star Belgrade at the Cross in the CL a few seasons ago.

Alan Bennett had him in his pocket all night.:cool:

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applehunter wrote: »

Remember him playing for Red Star Belgrade at the Cross in the CL a few seasons ago.

Alan Bennett had him in his pocket all night.:cool:

Must have had a very big pockets he is 6' 8"

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2010/may/27/football-europe-top-transfer-targets?picture=363113063



Radamel Falcao - Striker, Porto
Price £15m

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http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/2010/06/05/birmingham-city-plan-to-bid-for-italian-striker-97319-26592075/

Another one

Kiwi_knock

I can not see Miccoli leaving a team in the Europa League for us, would be a good signing but can not see it happening

TheTosh

Kevin Doyle would be an ideal signing for you's

Kiwi_knock

He would not come to us, he would want a top 6 team. Plus Wolves have signed Fletcher to play up beside him so I doubt they would let Doyle go

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TheTosh wrote: »

Kevin Doyle would be an ideal signing for you's

It would be a move sideways for him:cool:

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Birmingham-plot-5million-swoop-for-Italian-ace-Fabrizio-Miccoli-article466959.html



Fabrizio Miccoli hope it happens

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Birmingham-close-to-completing-deal-for-Crystal-Palace-starlet-Nathaniel-Clyne-Exclusive-article468623.html


Clyne from Palace

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http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2070612,00.html


Parnaby sign's up

Kiwi_knock

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_6238510,00.html

Blues in for Zamora, would be a good signing but I say it is dependent on if Hodgson heads to Liverpool.