Alex McLeish has dropped his interest in Liverpool forward Ryan Babel and Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady after being informed that neither player is for sale in the January transfer window.
With a £40million transfer kitty million at his disposal, McLeish is expected to delve into the transfer market in January, but two of his most high-profile targets appear will not be joining.
“We’ve made enquiries about a lot of people. I don’t want to confirm or deny a bid has gone in (for Kenwyne Jones),” McLeish said. “There is a lot of transfer speculation now and it is not something I like to talk about when nothing has been done. We have made enquiries for several players. I am not going to confirm or deny any names.
“But as regards Aiden McGeady, we made an enquiry but we were told he is not for sale. The situation won’t change until someone says he is up for sale. Is there any movement with the Babel situation? No, we’ve been told he is not for sale.”
Birmingham have agreed a £3 million deal to sign long-term target Michel from Sporting Gijon and the midfielder is expected to arrive in England on Friday to undergo a medical.
McLeish said: “It’s probably better I talk about Michel once he actually comes and signs for Birmingham. But he is a holding midfielder in much the same way as we play Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer.
“He is very comfortable on the ball, has good quality, is only 23, has got good legs and is a player for now but also the future. I said I wanted to sign players of quality during January and he fits the bill.
“It doesn’t look likely things will be completed in time for him to be available against United as the registration has to go through by noon today [Friday]. But I will be delighted when it is all done and dusted as I have been keeping tabs on him for over 12 months now.”
