Blues: business as usual for now

The expected announcement from the Stock Exchange came this morning after Sunday's furious speculation about the possibility of a foreign takeover at St Andrew's.

However, even if this bid is pursued at all decent haste and there are no unexpected setbacks, it seems unlikely that any change in ownership will occur before the end of the transfer window in August.

Steve Bruce has been told to continue hunting for targets to prepare the team for their second attack on the Premiership.

Strikers are clearly on Bruce's mind and a number of names have come to the fore in the last few days.

There is no further news about the bid for Mido, although it is thought that Spurs' demands of £4-5m put him slightly out of reach.

Marlon Harewood is commanding a similar price. The West Ham striker boasts a better attitude but does not have the sheer skill of the Egyptian.

Fenerbahce striker Tuncay's name has also been mentioned in the gossip columns but may prefer a move to Olympiakos instead.

Out-of-favour Evertonian James Beattie has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for a move to Birmingham, much to the horror of some fans.

Beattie has completely lost his way since moving to Goodison Park, making few appearances, scoring seldom and appearing out of form and condition.

Away from the strikeforce, enquiries about Arsenal's young defender Djourou are still ongoing and a £2m offer for Paul Konchesky is still on the table.

Like most other newly-promoted teams, Birmingham are going to find it difficult to attract the players who are prepared to take the risk with a team that might have to fight against relegation.

This, added to the uncertainty about the club's ownership in the near future must be making for an uncomfortable atmosphere at St Andrew's at the moment.

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