The sorry story of Birmingham City continues as they revealed that Brazil and Barcelona star Edmilson had all but agreed to sign for the club but their relegation to the Championship scuppered their chances. Birmingham chairman David Sullivan has admitted that a big player will be arriving still though.

"We are very close to signing a player who has played 200 games for a team that has been in the top six/seven clubs in The Premier League," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"We believe he's better than what we've got, and would be even if we were still in The Premier League.

"But, had we stayed in The Premier League, we wouldn't be trying to sign him.

"In that [midfield] position we had a top Brazilian international from a top club in Spain all lined up to come. But he wouldn't play in the Championship.”