Source: PA
Blues desire persuaded Hleb
New Birmingham recruit Alexander Hleb has claimed he turned down offers from Tottenham, Liverpool and Benfica this summer.
Blues boss Alex McLeish pulled off something of a coup on Tuesday by recruiting the former Arsenal midfielder on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
And Hleb revealed it was the greater desire of Birmingham to secure his services that persuaded him to move to St Andrew's.
He told Belarus newspaper Pressball: "There were many offers - Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Benfica. It was necessary to carefully review and consider all the options. With some, we were not able to agree on conditions.
"Birmingham City apparently wanted to do the deal more than the rest so they were my preference. The decision was prompted by the fact that I am well acquainted with the Premier League in England."
