Balde set to snub Blues

Balde: Standing firm

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• Dianbobo Balde

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Celtic defender Bobo Balde looks set to knock back a substantial offer from Championship side Birmingham.

The towering centre-half has already rebuffed one approach from the Blues, while turning down the opportunity to join their second tier rivals Wolves.

The Guinea international is thought to be holding out for a pay-off from his current employers, and is refusing to budge until his demands are met.

Birmingham are reported to have offered the 32-year-old a deal worth £22,000-a-week, plus a £10,000 appearance fee.

Despite seemingly fighting a losing battle, Alex McLeish is refusing to concede defeat in his attempts to sign the African ace.

Physical presence

"Bobo's away with Guinea on international duty at the moment so we can't take things any further until he gets back," the Blues boss told the Daily Record.

"But we are hopeful a deal could be done. To be honest, we've looked at a million centre-backs and Balde is still the one who stands out.

"His physical presence is superb and he also has experience of playing at the top level. I don't like to talk too much about transfer deals, particularly as it's very early days.

"But hopefully we can meet with the player and come to an agreement by the end of next week."