Morrison deal held up

Clinton Morrison’s transfer from Crystal Palace to Birmingham is still to be finalised as Andrew Johnson discusses terms over his move in the opposite direction.

Birmingham are understood to have agreed a £4m-plus (€6.3m) package with Palace consisting of a £3m (€4.7m) payment up front plus £500,000 (€783,000) if they survive in the Premiership while Johnson is valued at around £750,000 (€1.1m).

But, while Morrison is all set to move to the Midlands, it is believed that Johnson is holding the deal up while he thrashes out his own terms at Selhurst Park.

The player is desperate to play regular first-teamfootball but is understood to be unwilling to sell himself short in negotiations with the London club.

Birmingham had been hopeful of concluding the deal today ahead of a pre-season friendly with Livingston but it may now drag on for a couple of days.

Morrison held an initial meeting yesterday with Blues officials regarding personal terms and a further round of negotiations have taken place today.

There was no official comment from the Blues camp today although it is believed that Morrison is happy with the talks and will sign subject to a medical if the Johnson end of the deal is concluded satisfactorily.

Morrison has been the number one summer target of Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, who had a brief spell in charge of the player when Palace manager.

Bruce’s efforts to sign Morrison have intensified after the collapse of the deal to sign Poland international Emmanuel Olisadebe from Panathinaikos because of his wage demands.

Midfielders Robbie Savage (Leicester) and Aliou Cisse (Paris St Germain) plus defender Kenny Cunningham (Wimbledon) have already joined City in the close season.

But Bruce is aware of the need to bring in the kind of extra goal-power that Morrison should provide.

Bruce is also understood to be interested in another Palace player in American international Jovan Kirovski who can play in midfield or up front.