Birmingham City: McLeish scotches Cameron Jermone exit rumours

Jan 17 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

The money for him was dug up by the board over and above McLeish’s January transfer window budget.

That’s often the case at Blues. If a player really tickles the fancy of all concerned – and Boyd’s scoring record made co-owner David Sullivan particularly keen – then a windfall can be forthcoming.

It happened with Craig Bellamy a few years ago, when Blues met Newcastle United’s £6million asking price only to fail to convince him to sign.

“It wasn’t a case I’d have to sell players if Boyd came in, unless we had daft offers for somebody of Cameron’s ilk,” McLeish added.

“I know that Cameron would be attractive to teams, he would be a tremendous asset.

“But certainly we wouldn’t be looking to upset it (the team). We would have been looking for him to profit off Boyd and vice-versa, and create more competition.”

McLeish has turned his attentions to Real Betis striker Mariano Pavone.

The Argentinian would probably cost in excess of £5million, however, unless Blues could arrange a loan first.

Joint first-team coach Andy Watson watched him in action last weekend and McLeish was due to scout him in the Spanish Cup on Wednesday, but had to cancel the trip due to fog delaying his flight from Heathrow Airport.