Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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Blues accept defeat in pursuits

12 Aug 2010 - 14:14:41

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has admitted defeat in his attempts to sign both AZ Alkmaar striker Moussa Dembele and Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi.

McLeish had hoped to add the duo to his St Andrew's squad ahead of the new Premier League season, as he sought to add further quality to a squad who exceeded expectations last term.

"Dembele has got other options and he is choosing another option," McLeish admitted. "It is a blow because we have worked hard on that one, but that's life."

Dembele had previously told the Birmingham Mail: "A second team from the Premier League has made contact. I'll make a decision in the following days as I don't want the case to trail too long."

Of Italy international Camoranesi, McLeish added: "I have always been a big admirer, but negotiations became protracted and I had a further think.

"I decided it was not quite the way forward for Birmingham at this particular time."

Camoranesi's agent, Sergio Fortunato, had earlier told Calciomercato.it: "At the moment we are not talking to Birmingham.

"It's an issue of taxes. You're offered a figure and it turns out to be half that."