James McFadden becomes target for Alex McLeish

Jan 11 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

James McFadden (158)

BIRMINGHAM manager Alex McLeish wants to make another attempt to prise James McFadden from Everton.

The forward’s heroics helped take McLeish’s Scotland side to the brink of Euro 2008 qualification and the City manager has already tried to revive their partnership with a rejected £2.5million bid.

McLeish will now ask his Birmingham bosses for more funds towards a fresh bid for McFadden as he attempts to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.

But he has other areas of his squad to bolster with limited funds, and Everton are in no hurry to sell during a vital period in which they have players out through injury and on African Cup of Nations duty.

McLeish, who also had a £1million bid for Hibernian left-back David Murphy turned down and wants to take Georgios Samaras from Manchester City, said: “Will I go back in for McFadden and Murphy? We will have a think about things.

“I am in daily discussions with the two Davids (Sullivan and Gold) and Karren Brady (managing director).

“We will certainly try and do something, yes.

“There is also an interest in Samaras. We will be pushing on with one or two things.

“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 that further down the line and say we are no farther forward.

“I want to bring in players I feel I can move forward with. But I don’t expect anyone to be in by kick-off time on Saturday.”