Blues line up Mido deal
20 Jul 2007 - 11:08:32
Birmingham City have agreed a £6million fee with Tottenham Hotspur for Egypt international striker Mido.
The 24-year-old hitman will join the Blues subject to agreeing personal terms at St Andrew's, after falling down the pecking order at Spurs.
The former Ajax, Marseille and AS Roma forward struggled to dislodge Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe from the starting line-up last season.
And now, following Darren Bent's £16million move to White Hart Lane, he has been deemed surplus to requirements by Spurs boss Martin Jol.
Mido joined Spurs in a £4.5million deal from Roma last summer after spending two previous loan spells with the north London club.
However, the £6million move for Mido is not a club record fee for the Blues as they paid £6.25million to land Emile Heskey from Liverpool in 2004.
"The 24-year-old had been rumoured in the media to be joining the club on a season-long loan, but Blues can confirm that they are looking to sign the player on a permanent deal," confirmed a club statement.
Earlier in the week, City manager Steve Bruce admitted he was interested in signing the often controversial striker.
He said: "He's big, strong, powerful, great technique. You don't play for Tottenham, Roma, Marseille, Ajax and all them if you're no good.
"His reputation? He's definitely got something about him, he'll be a challenge!
"But that doesn't worry me at all. It doesn't scare me to take somebody who is a little bit different.
"I think the Birmingham fans like someone who is a bit of a hot head. We all do, don't we?
"Yes, his make-up is not the same as most, but he's still a very decent boy, let me tell you."