BIRMINGHAM BOSS REDKNAPP CONFIRMS CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE BID WAS REJECTED

Although the former Tottenham Hotspur boss did not name the two players he has bid for by name, he did confirm that the club had made a double swoop for two players from the club that the Blues beat 1-0 on the final day of last season’s Championship season, in order to gain a miraculous survival, having been dragged down the second tier table during the disastrous reign of Gianfranco Zola.

However, reports have linked Birmingham City with a move for defensive pair Flint and Bryan, and it is likely that Redknapp did not mention the players by name so as not to further antagonise the Robins’ manager, who was reportedly not impressed with Redknapp discussing his players.

“The club made an offer for two lads, (thought to be Flint and Bryan) – I went to Bristol City and saw them play last week,” Redknapp explained, before expressing his admiration for Johnson’s side.

“I was very impressed with them, they look a really good side. Lee Johnson’s got them playing some good football. We made an offer for a couple of players but it got rejected. You’re entitled to make an offer – someone said somebody is upset or something, I don’t know why,” Redknapp said of the reported issue between himself and Johnson.
Flint and Bryan would be extremely solid additions to Birmingham’s defence, but Redknapp is sure to need to bid more than the reported £5m for the pair, if he is to tempt them away from Ashton Gate.

With Leeds United, who finished much higher up the league than the Blues, boasting a prouder history to boot, reported to share an interest in the pair, Redknapp is finding it harder than expected to recruit players of the right quality at St Andrew’s.

Without further additions, Birmingham look set to remain a long way away from their ambitions of reaching for a promotion place next season.