Steve Bruce is keen to tie up a permanent deal for on-loan midfielder Fabrice Muamba.
Steve Bruce is keen to tie up a permanent deal for on-loan midfielder Fabrice Muamba following Birmingham City's promotion to the Premiership.Muamba has impressed for Blues during a season-long loan from Arsenal, but will return to Emirates Stadium in the summer.
He has expressed a desire to play in the top flight next term and has been linked with several other Premiership clubs.
But Birmingham's promotion could strengthen Bruce's claims to persuade the teenager to return to St Andrews next season.
Bruce, who has already signed Sebastian Larsson permanently, is planning talks with his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger in the coming weeks.
And though he is resigned to losing another Arsenal loan star - Nicklas Bendtner - the Blues boss is hopeful of striking a deal for Muamba.
"Lots, I'm being told - that's the script," Bruce told Sky Sports News when asked how much money he would have to spend in the summer.
"I will sit down with the board in the next few weeks, but let's just enjoy the moment.
"We managed to secure Larsson, but Bendtner is going back to Arsenal.
"I think he agreed a new deal about a month ago, so I don't think there is anything doing there.
"I will speak with Arsene Wenger to see if there is anything doing with Fabrice Muamba.
"I would love to make him permanent, but I must respect he is Arsenal's player. If there is a chance and a possibility to bring him here, I'd love to do it."
