Blues close in on Fabrizio Miccoli

Birmingham have made an improved £5million bid for Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli as they close in on the pint-sized striker.

Palermo have admitted defeat in their attempts to keep the 30-year-old, who is begging for a move to St Andrew's.

Blues look set to get their man with his Italian club ready to cash in on the forward, who scored 19 goals in the top-flight last season.

Boss Alex McLeish is ready to open contract talks and make Miccoli his fourth signing of the summer - taking his spending up to £17million for the summer.

Their opening offer of £4million was rejected and was swiftly followed by a 'hands- off' warning from the Rosanero hierarchy, but they now look likely to sell.

Blues have already captured giant striker Nikola Zigic, Manchester United keeper Ben Foster and midfielder Enric Valles from NAC Breda.

They have also been linked with Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne, as cover for Stephen Carr.

Palace need to sell to ease their crippling debts and McLeish is believed to be interested in the right-back, who turned down a move to Wolves in January.