Birmingham bid for Emana

Birmingham City have lodged a formal offer for Real Betis and Cameroon international midfielder Achille Emana, according to reports from France this morning. It is understood that the Betis man could leave the club for a fee in the region of £4 million.

Since the takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, it is believed that Alex McLeish has been scanning the continent for some of the best available talent.

Bolton and Blackburn had been linked with the defensive midfielder but Birmingham appear to have won the race for his coveted signature.