Sullivan expects more signings

Sullivan: Expects more arrivals

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Co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Birmingham are not finished in the transfer market this summer and anticipates up to four more arrivals.

The Premier League new boys have already been busy since they secured their promotion from the Championship, signing no fewer than six players.

Latest recruit Roger Johnson followed the arrivals of fellow defenders Stephen Carr, Scott Dann and Giovanny Espinoza along with goalkeeper Joe Hart, on a season-long loan, and striker Christian Benitez.

Sullivan admitted that Blues lacked the quality to survive the drop the last time they graced the top flight in 2007/08 and he is determined to make sure that is not the case this time around.

"I'd anticipate another three to four players coming in the next two to four weeks," he told Sky Sports News.

Advanced talks

"We're in advanced stages of negotiations with several clubs for several players but we have a policy for not mentioning who they are because we don't want to let supporters down. But three quarters of them are British."

Sullivan defended the club's decision to spend big on players who were untested in the Premier League after shelling out £5million for Johnson and £4million for Dann although he did admit that some players could be sold to cover the costs.

"Last time we didn't get enough quality players in and this time we are trying to mix the best players from the Championship with seasoned players from the Premier League," he added.

"It's a mixture of old and young. Hopefully we will produce a side that is capable of competing in the Premier League.

"We fully expect that we have got some good players who brought us up but alone they are not good enough to keep us up.

"They need to be combined with the new players we have brought in. One or two maybe going off to other clubs only time will tell."

Grateful

Blues chairman David Gold - who has, along with Sullivan, had to delve into his own pocket to finance the new signings - believes that his co-owner should take a large amount of credit for securing the new summer signings.

"Most of all I want to convey how grateful I am to David Sullivan and other staff at the club for all their hard work and commitment in bringing in and securing some excellent signings to make sure we retain our Premier League status next season," said Gold.

"David should be very proud and pleased of all the hard work and effort that he has put in to bring such fantastic signings to the club, record signings at that.

"All these players were on Alex's (McLeish) wish list and we are pleased that David has been able to deliver them.

"It really does whet my appetite ready for the new season and I'm sure it does to our many fans as well."