Ryan Babel could still become a Birmingham player during the transfer window.
The player’s agent, Winnie Haatrecht, has denied claims that Liverpool have rejected a £9million offer from the Midlands club for Babel and suggests the Dutch international is open to a move away from Anfield.
With the likes of Galatasaray, Juventus and former club Ajax all linked with the out-of-favour Reds winger, it was thought Babel would prefer a move abroad as he looks for regular, and preferably European, football to increase his chances of joining the Netherlands at next summer’s World Cup.
But Haatrecht has revealed the player would seriously consider a move to St Andrew’s if Liverpool and Birmingham can thrash out a deal.
Alex McLeish, is set to be handed a £40 million transfer war-chest by new club owner Carson Yeung and has Babel on a shortlist of possible marquee signings this month.
McLeish had also set his sights on Celtic’s Aiden McGeady but, after being told the £10million rated winger is not for sale, could now step up his pursuit of Babel
And after failing to hold down a regular place at Liverpool since joining from Ajax in 2007 his agent concedes that a switch to a club that can match the 22-year-old’s ambitions could be the best option.
“Birmingham’s offer has not been rejected yet,” said Haatrecht.
“But I can say, in general terms, Ryan would still like to be successful with Liverpool. If the people at Anfield feel it is better for him to leave, though, then we have to think about starting a new chapter in his career.
“I have sent details of all the interested clubs to Liverpool, and there are five or six of them. We know Liverpool are thinking seriously about the amount Birmingham have offered, but we only start thinking about it in the same way when an agreement has been reached between the clubs.
“Even then, we need to look at how Birmingham’s squad is being built up, how the prospects for future success appear and perhaps listen to what the manager has to say.
“It is about doing what is right for Ryan’s career as a whole, rather than taking a short-term view.
“We are not thinking about the World Cup. We are thinking about the next 10 years, and that is why we have to consider things carefully.”
Despite handing Babel just five starts in all competitions this season, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted the player is not for sale.
However, with Benitez having to raise cash from player sales to fund any new signings – and Babel his most valuable asset from those who are apparently surplus to requirements at Anfield – Liverpool are likely to do business if they get closer to recouping their £11.5m outlay for the youngster two-and-a-half years ago.
The player’s agent, Winnie Haatrecht, has denied claims that Liverpool have rejected a £9million offer from the Midlands club for Babel and suggests the Dutch international is open to a move away from Anfield.
With the likes of Galatasaray, Juventus and former club Ajax all linked with the out-of-favour Reds winger, it was thought Babel would prefer a move abroad as he looks for regular, and preferably European, football to increase his chances of joining the Netherlands at next summer’s World Cup.
But Haatrecht has revealed the player would seriously consider a move to St Andrew’s if Liverpool and Birmingham can thrash out a deal.
Alex McLeish, is set to be handed a £40 million transfer war-chest by new club owner Carson Yeung and has Babel on a shortlist of possible marquee signings this month.
McLeish had also set his sights on Celtic’s Aiden McGeady but, after being told the £10million rated winger is not for sale, could now step up his pursuit of Babel
And after failing to hold down a regular place at Liverpool since joining from Ajax in 2007 his agent concedes that a switch to a club that can match the 22-year-old’s ambitions could be the best option.
“Birmingham’s offer has not been rejected yet,” said Haatrecht.
“But I can say, in general terms, Ryan would still like to be successful with Liverpool. If the people at Anfield feel it is better for him to leave, though, then we have to think about starting a new chapter in his career.
“I have sent details of all the interested clubs to Liverpool, and there are five or six of them. We know Liverpool are thinking seriously about the amount Birmingham have offered, but we only start thinking about it in the same way when an agreement has been reached between the clubs.
“Even then, we need to look at how Birmingham’s squad is being built up, how the prospects for future success appear and perhaps listen to what the manager has to say.
“It is about doing what is right for Ryan’s career as a whole, rather than taking a short-term view.
“We are not thinking about the World Cup. We are thinking about the next 10 years, and that is why we have to consider things carefully.”
Despite handing Babel just five starts in all competitions this season, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted the player is not for sale.
However, with Benitez having to raise cash from player sales to fund any new signings – and Babel his most valuable asset from those who are apparently surplus to requirements at Anfield – Liverpool are likely to do business if they get closer to recouping their £11.5m outlay for the youngster two-and-a-half years ago.
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