Source: Daily_Mail
Shrewd Birmingham boss McLeish wary of being ripped off in January
Alex McLeish admits Birmingham are becoming a victim of their own success whenit comes to signing new players. [LNB]It is no secret the Blues boss has between £20-£40million to spend in theJanuary transfer window following Carson Yeung's takeover, with a host ofbig-name players already linked. [LNB]Reported moves for Kevin Kuranyi and Kenwyne Jones have hit the buffers due tothe inflated cost of the packages involved. [LNB] Fallen through: Moves for Jones and Kuranyi have hit the buffers[LNB]And McLeish, while being as coy as ever when it comes to potential targets,admitted the resulting situation is not easy. [LNB]'Yes, that is a problem for me,' he said. [LNB]'That's what I have to consider,is when we take the next step. I know that if Birmingham keep improving we're going to have to bring inplayers - wages will increase, players already here will want higher wages andnew contracts. [LNB]'It's a natural evolution. I don't want to take too big a step at this moment because I don't think itwould be right.' [LNB]Birmingham go into tomorrow night's FA Cup third-round replay againstNottingham Forest riding the crest of a 13-match unbeaten run in allcompetitions while standing a lofty eighth in the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]Asked whether Blues' stunning form is having an impact on his attemptedbusiness, McLeish replied: 'We relish that - that's the new challenge for us.Long may that continue. [LNB]'I'd love to continue being a victim of our success if this team can keepperforming the way they are and if I can help them with two or three players tobolster their dreams.'[LNB] Shrewd: Alex McLeish[LNB]Spanish midfielder Michel, 23, is undertaking his medical today in order tocomplete his £3m switch from Sporting Gijon. [LNB]Regarding further new arrivals, McLeish insisted there is nothing imminent butthat he 'remains interested in one or two players'. [LNB]But he also pointed to inflated prices at the start of January and bigger pricetags on the continent as reasons why the market on the whole - and Birmingham'sactivity - has not yet reached fever pitch. [LNB]Set for move: Michel is close to sealing his City switch [LNB]'If there's £20million to spend then I'm sure Carson means that but whether Ispend that remains to be seen,' he said. [LNB]'I would probably need to bring four or five players in to get through thatmoney. I'm certainly not going to spend it on one player because I don't thinkwe're ready for that step. [LNB]'There are a few clubs that are desperate for cash and we're aware of that aswell. So prices can be inflated at the beginning of the month and they start to seesense towards the end of January. [LNB]He added: Some prices abroad are definitely inflated but the Premier Leaguemanagers and clubs tend to know the market value for players. [LNB]'It'slike buying a house - it's whoever is prepared to pay the money. Butthe Premier League is a tough place to buy players because when you'reanestablished player prices tend to go up very rapidly.' [LNB] Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak admits: We blew a big chance in title race with Birmingham draw Birmingham complete move for teenage Manchester City midfielder Eddy GnahoreUnderfire ref Clattenburg stands by United star Fletcher's sending off [LNB]
