Albion now go for Liam Ridgewell

Albion are plotting a fresh move for Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell as Blues prepare to offer more cut-price transfer deals to ease their money worries.

The Baggies are already set to benefit from the financial crisis engulfing St Andrew's with goalkeeper Ben Foster in the final stages of his move to the Hawthorns.

And Albion are also now set to revive their long-standing interest in versatile defender Ridgewell – with rumours from St Andrew's claiming the former Villa man could be available for as little as £2million.

Talks between the clubs over the 27-year-old stalled earlier this summer, with their respective valuations of the player some distance apart.

But Birmingham, who were initially seeking as much as £6million for Ridgewell, have been forced to lower their sights because of the need to raise funds and reduce their wage bill.

Ridgewell would primarily provide cover and competition for first-choice left-back Nicky Shorey with Ridgewell having made the transition to that position in recent seasons at St Andrew's, but would also offer back-up to Jonas Olsson.

Negotiations over Foster's deal are also in their final stages, with an agreement having been reached in principle over an initial loan deal with an option for a £4million permanent transfer next summer should Blues fail to win promotion.

Birmingham are now keen to take frustrated Baggies goalkeeper Boaz Myhill in the opposite direction.

Myhill said: "It is frustrating to see the club continually linked with moves for a new goalkeeper, but there is nothing I can do about speculation."