Blues keen on permanent Palacios deal

Oct 4 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES have no doubts about making Wilson Palacios's loan a permanent transfer, for what looks to be a bargain 1.5 million euros.

The Honduran midfielder continues to impress Steve Bruce by the day and the manager told the Birmingham Mail that he was reminiscent of a "young Paul Ince".

"He scored a goal the other night in the reserves against West Ham and I think the whole lot of us in the ground got up and applauded," Bruce said.

"It was a bit like that Archie Gemmill one for Scotland against Argentina. He beat about three or four players in a short space of time and slotted the ball away. Not many could have done what he did.

"I think we've got an outstanding player on our hands, I have to say. The more he trains and plays, the better he becomes.

"He's something different in midfield to what we've got. He looks as if he has got everything in his locker. He can score a goal, he can beat a man, he can see a pass and he's quick across the ground and can make a tackle.

"He reminds me very much of a young Paul Ince, with his tenacity as well. But I suppose he's got 40-odd caps for his country at 23-years-old, so the pedigree's there."

Blues have an agreement in place with his club Olimpia.

Bruce said: "I think already, after such a short time, it's a stick-on certainty that we will be making an offer for him in December.

"The problem we're facing is that everyone is waking up to him. Everyone at St Andrew's on Monday was asking 'who is that?', 'who is that with the yellow boots?'

"There must have been 25 scouts there, and the jungle drums do start beating quickly. But we've got him, we're in pole position, and he's enjoying it here.

"He's looking to bring his mum and brother over, he's looking to get settled."