West Ham eye Birmingham reject Christian Benitez after Blues back out of permanent deal

On his way: Benitez is returning to his parent club after McLeish decided not to sign him permanentlyBirmingham striker Christian Benitez is being tracked by West Ham after Birmingham decided not to sign the Ecuador striker on a permanent basis. Having been released he will return to Mexican club Santos Laguna while he waits for offers. Benitez, 24, played 36 games for Birmingham but managed only four goals. However, is work rate could never be faulted and the Ecuadorian was popular with the St Andrews crowd. Franck Queudrue, Birmingham's player of the season in their promotion campaign, will also move on, and so too Gary McSheffrey and Gregory Vignal.None ot their deals will be extended into next season. Birmingham set sights on £8m Fulham star Bobby Zamora after Alex McLeish releases Christian Benitez Bolton 2 Birmingham 1: Wanderers show mix of new flair and old gutsBirmingham keeping tabs on South African hitman Katlego MphelaBIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail