Birmingham to give West Bromwich the Blues and pinch Obafemi Martins in loan deal

Add to My Stories Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to sign Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins in a surprise loan deal, stunning Midlands rivals West Bromwich in the process.The Blues have offered a 500,000 loan fee to Russian side Rubin Kazan and will pay Martin's wages for the rest of the season.Martins had been in talks with West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo, but it is believed that Albion were offering only a 250,000 loan fee.

Making a return to England: Martins (right) in action for Newcastle against Chelsea in 2009The striker has had mixed success on the continent since leaving Newcastle in 2009, and wants to depart the Russian outfit, where he has been on the fringes of the side.
Di Matteo will be see missing out as a major blow. He wanted to play Martins up front with his fellow Nigerian Peter Odemwingie.During his three-year spell on Tyneside, Martins scored 39 goals in all competitions from 105 games.

More...

  • Curtis Davies will complete 1.75m move from Aston Villa to Birmingham
  • Birmingham flops? My new boys are class, insists manager Alex McLeish


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