Birmingham drop Keane interest

Soccer:  Birmingham have confirmed they are no longer interested in signing Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, claiming it "would not be in the best financial interests of the club" to pursue the deal. Blues agreed a fee with Spurs for the Republic of Ireland international last week but the move has now apparently stalled over the player's wage demands.

Birmingham's acting chairman Peter Pannu told the club's website bcfc.com: "I met with (manager) Alex (McLeish) and (chief scout) Paul (Montgomery) today to discuss some new targets - names that we will not be mentioning at this moment in time - as we have decided that the signing of Keane would not be in the best financial interests of the club.

"Everyone knows he is a tremendous player but having considered the overall package (one which certainly wasn't unfair on the part of his representatives to ask for given his talent and experience), Keane's age and the length of contract we felt that financially he wasn't the best option available.

"This is unfortunate because Keane is a class act but supporters can rest assured we are considering other options and will pursue them where financially viable."

The two clubs agreed a fee last week, believed to be in the region of €4.5 million rising to €7.2 million, but reports this morning suggested Keane wanted an increase on the €77,000 a week he is getting at Spurs.

West Ham are still believed to be interested in signing the Republic of Ireland captain, though Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has dismissed the prospect of a loan move for the Dubliner and insisted he will only sanction a permanent transfer.

McLeish is still waiting to find out if Rangers striker Kenny Miller will move back to England after agreeing a €1.3 million deal. But he has already held discussions with Pannu over possible new targets to pursue.

McLeish has continually cited a lack of firepower as the main reason for City being in a relegation battle after finishing ninth in the Barclays Premier League last season.

He is aware of the need for that weakness to be rectified before the end of the campaign, with midfielder Craig Gardner their leading marksman with just five goals. Miller, who is out of contract in the summer, is also considering an offer from Fiorentina.

One Dubliner who is heading to St Andrew’s is midfielder Jay O’Shea, who has returned to the club following a loan period at Stevenage.

The 22-year-old spent two months on loan at the Lamex Stadium, making five appearance in League Two and two in the FA Cup. O’Shea was the last of the Blues’ fringe players to return from loan spells at other clubs.