Source: Daily_Mail
Brum strike first in race for Reading's Hunt - but face double threat for £4m star
Birmingham are planning a £4million bid for Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt.
Sunderland and Wigan are also interested but City boss Alex McLeish would hope that an early offer can put the newly-promoted side in pole position.
The 27-year-old midfielder is keen to return to the Premier League after a year-long absence while at the Madejski Stadium, during which time he has been pursued by other top-flight clubs including Everton.
Reading initially valued Hunt at considerably more than £4million - but are considering lowering the asking price.
Splash the cash Brum not set to rein in spending as McLeish eyes up GardnerBirmingham chief McLeish backs new boy Barry to boss top-flight midfieldsBirmingham hope for more big names after signing Christian BenitezThe Republic of Ireland star, who has 20 caps for his country, would join a serious exodus from Reading.
The Championship club have already lost key men Kevin Doyle and Marcus Hahnemann to Wolves, meaning that the departure of Hunt would seriously weaken their hopes of a return to the Premier League.
Last month, Hunt publicly declared his desire to leave Reading to seek top-flight football.
Hunt would become Birmingham's eighth signing this season but McLeish thinks he can keep a big squad happy. According to the Blues boss, it will be a big advantage for the club to be able to name seven substitutes next season.
The seven substitutes quota was introduced to the Premier League in the last campaign.
McLeish said: 'It's better for morale because when you've got a squad of senior players and you're only allowed five substitutes it can leave a lot of disgruntled players and managing that is a challenge. I'm not saying it's not manageable but it can be beset with problems.
'Having seven subs it certainly satisfies a great part of your squad, although the guys that don't start won't be happy and the guys that aren't listed will be even less happy, so it goes down the line.
'But these sorts of things are all part of the management of a football team.'