Cahill next in McLeish's sights

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has been given permission by his Aston Villa counterpart Martin O’Neill to speak to central defender Gary Cahill about a possible move to St Andrews.

McLeish has signed Hibernian full-back David Murphy – the player passed a medical today – and agreed a fee with Everton for striker James McFadden, who is discussing personal terms.

Now he is aiming to strengthen his back four by attempting to sign Cahill, who could be reunited at St Andrews with his former Villa team-mate Liam Ridgewell.

It was thought City wanted to sign Cahill on loan but McLeish is content to make any move permanent for a player rated at £4m.

McLeish said: “We’ve had a chat with Martin O’Neill and it is really in the hands of Villa at the moment. There is a chance but it is no more than that at the moment.

“We would have been happy to do a cash deal but I am not sure about the players’ thoughts on it. Maybe the player doesn’t want to commit himself at the moment.

“We will speak to the agent and speak to Gary about the situation. Martin has given me permission to do that Martin told me I could speak to Gary to see what he really wanted.

“Karren Brady (Birmingham managing director) has spoken to Martin O’Neill about figures. That’s why I think Martin has allowed us to speak to Gary.

“Talks are ongoing in terms of what happens next. Martin has got to look after his own situation at Villa. He has got some injuries and doesn’t want to let anyone go right at the minute but we will keep in constant dialogue.

“I don’t have any preconceived plan or any exact date as to when something may happen. I need to wait and get the go ahead from Cahill first of all and Martin.”

Cahill has just returned to Villa after a loan spell with Sheffield United but is fourth in line behind Martin Laursen, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight.

McLeish is reluctant to talk about any possible deal for McFadden until it is formally completed.

He said: “I don’t like talking about things being a done deal until they are done. I’ll wait until I get the green light – or not as the case may be.

“I think the clubs have agreed things. It is now a case of the club trying to agree terms with James McFadden and him having a medical as soon as possible after that.

“I would like to have him available going into the Chelsea game on Saturday.”

McLeish is excited about the prospect of bringing in Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate on loan from Qatar side Al Sadd.

He said: “This is sometimes the sort of deal that look likes it is going to happen and then doesn’t happen at the last minute.

“But we are quite excited about the prospect of bringing the player in on loan. He is one of the Argentinian young guns who was successful in the FIFA Under-20 championship last year and I have heard really good things about him.

“It is a kind of bonus type signing if he comes and is one we hope can turn games.”