Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is confident of signing Senegal captain Aliou Cisse despite conflicting reports.The Midlands club have agreed a £4.5m fee with Paris St. Germain for the defensive midfielder and Bruce says the player has agreed personal terms.
But Bruce has not had face-to-face talks with Cisse who played for Senegal in the World Cup and seems upset by the way the deal has been conducted.
"The player has agreed to everything that we have put forward to him," said Bruce.
"It has been long and protracted because of the World Cup.
"We hope that by the end of the week he should be a Birmingham player."
He continued: "Since he has gone into the World Cup he has gone through the roof.
"As soon as I saw him play against the French in the first game we made our move."
Bruce added: "The one thing about him is he has got a physical presence and we are short in that area."
The Birmingham manager's claims seem to contradict Cisse's recent comments.
He told the Birmingham Sunday Mercury: "I believe both clubs have come to an agreement, but the only person who hasn't been consulted in all of this is me.
"Paris St Germain have not even asked me if I want to go to Birmingham or not. I have no appointments with Birmingham.
"I'm not saying I won't go and I am not saying I will go, but I have to be asked about this. Some respect needs to be shown to me."
If the transfer does go through it will break Birmingham's club record - which currently stands at £2.5m following the recent arrival of Robbie Savage.
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