Blues line up bid for N'Zogbia

Birmingham are reportedly lining up a bid for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is keen to strengthen his side this summer, after an impressive first season back in the Premier League.

Now Frenchman N'Zogbia is the latest man apparently in the manager's sights.

Wigan paid Newcastle £6million to sign N'Zogbia 16 months ago but the player is thought to be keen to leave the DW Stadium and McLeish could be ready to take him to St Andrew's.

Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky is also apparently on his radar, after the less than ideal situation of centre-back Liam Ridgewell filling in there for much of last season.

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is also edging closer to sealing his move to St Andrew's to replace Joe Hart, who is heading back to Manchester City at the end of his impressive season on loan.

McLeish must also decide whether to take up the £6million option to sign on-loan Equador striker Christian Benitez.

The club have until Saturday to exercise their option on Benitez, who has enjoyed a mixed season at St Andrew's on loan from Mexican side Santos Laguna.

But legendary Blues striker and former manager Trevor Francis has urged his old club to look elsewhere.

He said: "Would I spend that money on someone who has scored three league goals? No, I wouldn't.

"Earlier in the season I made a point that he creates opportunities for himself, is an unselfish runner and creates opportunities for others with his mobility.

"But whenever he gets in goalscoring positions he allows too many blocks to take place or hits the ball against defenders.

"Christian should have come out of the Burnley game with a hat-trick, with that many good opportunities."

Francis has also urged Blues to waste no time in securing their manager on a longer-term deal.

The former England striker said: "The person they've got to sign up more than anyone is Alex McLeish because he has done an outstanding job.

"If you had said that Birmingham would have ended up with 50 points no-one would have believed that.

"I just hope there is nothing cynical in the way the contractual negotiations have taken so long.

"What I understand is one or two of the big clubs are looking at Alex's situation, so my advice to the board is to get him signed up pretty quickly."