Birmingham City's manager Alex McLeish has been told that Ryan Babel will consider a move to St Andrews if a fee can be agreed with Liverpool.
McLeish is understood to have had a £9m offer for the 23-year-old striker rejected, despite the fact that the Holland international has started just three Premier League games this season and has primarily been used as a substitute.
Although the Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is eager to raise funds for his own transfer targets this month, Birmingham will need to bid closer to the £11.5m paid to Ajax for Babel in 2007.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Babel's agent Winnie Haatrecht said: "We know that Liverpool are seriously thinking about the offer from Birmingham. We would consider a deal if both clubs come to an agreement.
"In general Ryan wants to succeed at Liverpool, but if the people at Anfield conclude it's better he leaves, we have to think about the next chapter in his career. We will look then to the team, the perspectives of the club and Ryan, as well as a meeting with the manager."
With new owner Carson Yeung apparently providing a transfer budget of £40m, McLeish is being linked with a welter of players. He is believed to have failed with a £10m offer for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, and is rumoured to be chasing the Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
He is also moving closer to landing long-term target Michel from Sporting Gijón. Sporting have authorised the £3m transfer for the midfielder as they are desperate for the funds.
The Sporting president, Manuel Vega Arango, said: "We have convinced the technical staff this is for the best, because we have to improve the financial situation at the club. I understand Manuel Preciado was keen to limit the damage to the squad, but this is what we have to do."
McLeish is understood to have had a £9m offer for the 23-year-old striker rejected, despite the fact that the Holland international has started just three Premier League games this season and has primarily been used as a substitute.
Although the Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is eager to raise funds for his own transfer targets this month, Birmingham will need to bid closer to the £11.5m paid to Ajax for Babel in 2007.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Babel's agent Winnie Haatrecht said: "We know that Liverpool are seriously thinking about the offer from Birmingham. We would consider a deal if both clubs come to an agreement.
"In general Ryan wants to succeed at Liverpool, but if the people at Anfield conclude it's better he leaves, we have to think about the next chapter in his career. We will look then to the team, the perspectives of the club and Ryan, as well as a meeting with the manager."
With new owner Carson Yeung apparently providing a transfer budget of £40m, McLeish is being linked with a welter of players. He is believed to have failed with a £10m offer for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, and is rumoured to be chasing the Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
He is also moving closer to landing long-term target Michel from Sporting Gijón. Sporting have authorised the £3m transfer for the midfielder as they are desperate for the funds.
The Sporting president, Manuel Vega Arango, said: "We have convinced the technical staff this is for the best, because we have to improve the financial situation at the club. I understand Manuel Preciado was keen to limit the damage to the squad, but this is what we have to do."
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