Blues Euell deal stalls

Blues’ move to sign Jason Euell from Charlton looks to have stalled, with Addicks boss Alan Curbishley saying the deal is ‘in danger’.

Jamaican international Euell, 28, looked set to move to Blues in a £1.5 million deal – but with Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace reported to be waiting in the wings to move for the midfielder, Steve Bruce will be under pressure to either speak to Euell, who is believed not to have yet discussed terms, or pull out of the transfer.

And Curbishley has cast doubt on the transfer by saying: ‘I think the transfer now is in danger, but that is not from our end or from Jason’s end. I think Birmingham have changed their policy a bit in terms of the transfer market, which has affected the move.’

Not only this, but Bruce himself has cast further doubt on the move by admitting a move for Euell may price him out of any further deals in the transfer market.

He told the Birmingham Mail: ‘We have agreed a fee for Jason and he is an option. With the money I have available, I have to consider things very carefully.

‘People seem to think we are awash with cash, that there are millions to spend, but that’s not the case.

‘So I have to look at the squad and weigh everything up before taking the plunge.

‘We have tracked Jason for some time but my fear is that he has not played all season because of a shoulder injury.

‘I believe it’s not a problem to him anymore, but you just don’t know how long it might take before he’s really up and running.’

With this transfer looking increasingly unlikely, and a move for Rangers’ winger Peter Lovenkrands off with Rangers unwilling to sell, Bruce is facing an uphill battle to bring in any new players before the close of the transfer window at midnight on January 31.