Birmingham City ‘astronomical offer’ late on Saturday – Blow transfer apart

Birmingham City were brought back into the Carlos Vicente picture on Saturday, thanks to Dutch club Ajax making a move. Efforts from the Championship side had gone quiet in recent days, with Alavés asking for close to the 26-year-old’s release clause.

That stands at €20m, and it was clear no club was going to be pay anything like that for the winger.

Ajax are looking to replace Raul Moro, who has moved to Osasuna, and the Eredivisie side reignited Vicente interest from the summer. Birmingham City, however, are accepted as a tough competitor.

Voetbal International added: ‘Birmingham City had already reached a preliminary agreement with Alavés regarding a transfer for Vicente. Ajax has now joined the fray and is fully committed. Vicente can sign a multi-year contract with Ajax.’

Chris Davies’s side currently find themselves 13th in the Championship. Those in charge at Birmingham City are hoping to push a race for the play-offs.

Carlos Vicente subject of transfer fight

Ajax are taking the competition seriously.

Late on Saturday evening, Voetbal International published a fresh article, again talking up the Blues and their chase: ‘Carlos Vicente’s arrival at Ajax is no easy feat. The Amsterdam side has strong credentials to sign the Spanish winger. Birmingham City is doing everything it can to bring the right winger to England. Insiders confirm this.’

Jordi Cruyff is working as technical director at Ajax and has close ties with the Spanish market. Indeed, the Dutchman played for Alavés for three seasons after his Manchester United spell.

Ajax have agreed personal terms and are set to make an offer to Alavés.

Birmingham City come in like a wrecking ball

Birmingham City moved strongly on Saturday and may well have blown Ajax out of the water.

The reliable Dutch source states: ‘Birmingham City is financially very strong and didn’t accept Vicente’s decision to join Ajax. The English side presented the attacker with an astronomical offer on Saturday, substantially higher than his first offer and even much higher than Ajax’s. Take it or leave it. Due to the enormous financial lure, Vicente now appears to have changed his mind.

‘Birmingham has suddenly gotten a foot in the door, insiders confirm. This means Ajax could easily miss out on the attacker. There’s still time, though, as Alavés is still counting on the right winger for Sunday’s league match against Real Betis. Vicente is definitely in the match day squad.’

El Correo, a reliable Basque newspaper, states Carlos Vicente’s sale could be worth around €10m.