Blues rule out Savage switch to Blackburn

Birmingham have moved to dismiss any chance of midfielder Robbie Savage leaving St Andrews to join Blackburn in the January transfer window.

The Ewood Park club have already had a £2.2m (€3.12m) offer turned down by their Barclays Premiership rivals who described the bid as derisory.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes today revealed his club were in the process of talking to Birmingham about Savage and indicated he would like to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Birmingham, who had a counter bid for striker Paul Dickov rejected by Rovers, have now responded to Hughes.

In a statement on the club’s official website, www.bcfc.com, Birmingham said: “The two clubs are not still in the process of talking about the deal.

“The offer that has been made to Birmingham by Blackburn for Robbie Savage is considered by the club to be ‘derisory’ and ‘wholly unacceptable’.

“The ‘quick decision’ that Mark Hughes has requested today has already been received by Blackburn – this was a definitive ‘no’ when the offer was first tabled.

“And finally Robbie Savage is not for sale.”

Hughes had today confirmed his club’s bid for Savage and rejected claims by Birmingham chief executive Karren Brady which described the offer as ‘derisory’ and ‘a waste of fax paper’.

Hughes said Rovers’ bid was a serious one and claimed the two clubs were still discussing a possible switch in the new year.

Hughes said: “We have put a bid in for Robbie.

“The structure of the bid is in line with other bids that clubs have been involved in.

“I wouldn’t say an offer of over £2m (€2.85m) is derisory in this day and age.

“We would like a player of Robbie’s quality if he does come to us.

“He is an international player, he has got great energy and he is the type of player we need if we can get him.”

Hughes admitted that time was of the essence if the move for Savage was to be a success.

The relationship between the two clubs has become strained recently with Birmingham launching a counter bid for Dickov.

Hughes added: “The clubs are talking, if something happens I’ll be grateful, but we probably need a quick decision.”

Hughes rejected Birmingham’s interest in Dickov and said: “I imagine a lot of clubs are interested in Paul because of his ability, but we quickly told him the situation.

“We got an indication from Paul that he had no interest in it and he is very happy at Blackburn Rovers, so that is the end of it.”

Hughes also confirmed striking a £600,000 (€855,000) deal with Belgian club Racing Genk for defender Aaron Mokoena.