gangsteroc
10-01-2008, 08:56 PM
Birmingham have failed with attempts to sign Everton striker James McFadden and Hibernian left-back David Murphy.
Manager Alex McLeish offered £2.5m for McFadden, who was one of the stars of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, and £1m for Murphy.
"I can confirm we have had bids rejected. Will I go back in for McFadden and Murphy? We will have a think about things," said McLeish.
He is also interested in Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras.
McLeish has the full backing of the Birmingham board as he tries to strengthen his squad.
"I am in daily discussion with the two Davids [Sullivan and Gold] and Karren Brady. We will certainly try and do something.
"But I don't want to bring anyone in just to fill up the numbers in the squad.
"I could do that and then I would regret it further down the line...I want to bring in players I feel I can move forward with," he said.
Birmingham are only two places above the bottom three in the Premier League and last weekend suffered an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Huddersfield Town.
But although McLeish is contemplating improved bids for McFadden and Murphy, he does not expect to have any new faces in the squad for Saturday's tough away game at Arsenal.
He has, meanwhile, added his voice to other managers who are opposed in principle to the January transfer window.
"I think the January window is horrendous and bad for football because it is pushing prices up," the Scot commented.
"It is a restriction on free trade. I believe it is bad for football. It should go back to like it was before, until the end of March when you had the transfer deadline.
"I certainly feel when teams are scrambling to avoid relegation, and the price to stay up is so astronomical, that one or two teams will push the boat out - and there is no guarantee whoever you bring in that you can keep your head above water."
Manager Alex McLeish offered £2.5m for McFadden, who was one of the stars of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, and £1m for Murphy.
"I can confirm we have had bids rejected. Will I go back in for McFadden and Murphy? We will have a think about things," said McLeish.
He is also interested in Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras.
McLeish has the full backing of the Birmingham board as he tries to strengthen his squad.
"I am in daily discussion with the two Davids [Sullivan and Gold] and Karren Brady. We will certainly try and do something.
"But I don't want to bring anyone in just to fill up the numbers in the squad.
"I could do that and then I would regret it further down the line...I want to bring in players I feel I can move forward with," he said.
Birmingham are only two places above the bottom three in the Premier League and last weekend suffered an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Huddersfield Town.
But although McLeish is contemplating improved bids for McFadden and Murphy, he does not expect to have any new faces in the squad for Saturday's tough away game at Arsenal.
He has, meanwhile, added his voice to other managers who are opposed in principle to the January transfer window.
"I think the January window is horrendous and bad for football because it is pushing prices up," the Scot commented.
"It is a restriction on free trade. I believe it is bad for football. It should go back to like it was before, until the end of March when you had the transfer deadline.
"I certainly feel when teams are scrambling to avoid relegation, and the price to stay up is so astronomical, that one or two teams will push the boat out - and there is no guarantee whoever you bring in that you can keep your head above water."