Liverpool FC reject 9million offer from Birmingham City for Ryan Babel

Published: 06 Jan 2010 - 10:00:00

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Ryan Babel 300 LIVERPOOL have rejected a £9million bid for Ryan Babel from Premier League rivals Birmingham City. The unsettled Dutch international has endured a miserable season but manager Rafa Benitez has insisted he is not for sale. City boss Alex McLeish has been promised £40million by owner Carson Yeung to strengthen his squad and is hoping to make Babel his 'marquee' signing. However, the Midlands club will have to increase their bid considerably if they are going to test Benitez's resolve. Liverpool paid Ajax around £11.5million for Babel in the summer of 2007 and if Benitez reluctantly allowed him to move on they would insist on at least recouping that fee. Even if City made an offer Liverpool couldn't refuse it's uncertain whether the 23-year-old winger would accept a move to St Andrew's. McLeish's side are flying high in the Premier League on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run but are unlikely to be able to offer the European football next season Babel would demand. However, McLeish is desperate to land a left-sided player and said: 'We won't rule out a marquee signing, if there is someone out there who I think can make a huge difference to this team. 'We will do a lot of continued diligence and try and enhance the character of the dressing room.'