Pandiani deal close - reports

Espanyol are closing in on a deal to sign striker Walter Pandiani from Birmingham, according to Spanish media reports.

It is thought that a €1.5m fee has been agreed by the two clubs and a deal could even be announced by Tuesday afternoon, with Pandiani set to sign a reported two-and-a-half year contract.

Club president Daniel Sanchez Llibre and the fourth major shareholder Sebastian Javier have used their personal fortunes to help finance the move, according to the reports.

Espanyol believe that the 29-year-old Uruguayan is the answer to their problems in front of goal this season with Raul Tamudo and Luis Garcia finding it hard to score consistently.

But since his loan move from Deportivo La Coruna was made permanent in the summer Pandiani has scored just once in 17 appearances for Birmingham this season.