Alexsandr Hleb linked to Blues move

Barcelona midfielder Alexsandr Hleb was today linked with a shock £4million switch to Birmingham.

Russia radio station Championat have reported the Belarus star has been offered to Blues and Fulham with Barca keen to ease their crippling wage bill.

The La Liga champions' debt stands at £369.5million and they were forced to take out a loan this month to pay the players wages.

Hleb is one of Barca's most sellable assets after he struggled to make an impact at the Camp Nou since his £11.8million move from Arsenal in 2008.

He was farmed out on loan to former club Stuttgart last season and with Barca desperate to offload some high earners Blues can get him cut price.

A £4million fee would be well within boss Alex McLeish's reach, but with a striker top of his shopping list, any deal for Hleb could take a back seat.

Hleb made 130 appearances in a three-year spell with Arsenal before forcing through a move to Spain in 2008 - a switch he has since admitted was a mistake.

Meanwhile, Birmingham captain Stephen Carr is set to sign a new two year deal at St Andrew's.

The ex-Republic of Ireland international failed to agree fresh terms earlier in the summer but has now ready to pen a contract.

The 33-year-old right-back was brought out of retirement by McLeish last year to help the club win promotion back to the Premier League.

He made 40 appearances last season as Blues finished ninth in the top flight and formed an impressive defensive unit with Liam Ridgewell, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson.

McLeish has cover for Carr with Stuart Parnaby having signed a new deal this summer, but the former Tottenham and Newcastle man is key to his plans.