Blues to land Senegal ace

The Premiership new boys have had a bid accepted by Paris Saint Germain for the accomplished defender and hope to conclude a deal after the World Cup.

Bolton and Southampton were also keen on signing Cisse, but Birmingham are favourites to clinch his signature after reaching an agreement with PSG admitted the player's agent Monte-Carlo based Willie McKay.

"Birmingham have had an offer accepted by Paris Saint Germain for Aliou Cisse," McKay told Planetfootball.com.

"David Sullivan (Birmingham chairman) has been doing the deal himself with PSG financial director Pierre Frelot.

"There has been a number of clubs interested in Cisse, but he is set to move to Birmingham subject to a medical."
 
The 26-year-old has impressed in the World Cup for Senegal helping them to a famous win against France in the opening game of the tournament keeping France's star strikers David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry at bay.

Cisse had been on loan at Montpellier last season after finding himself out-of-favour at PSG.

He is a versatile performer who can also play in a defensive midfield role and he attracted a lot of interest in this year's African Cup of Nations in Mali.

A Birmingham spokesman confirmed that the club had agreed a deal for the player.

"We can confirm newspaper reports that we are looking to sign Senegal's Aliou Cisse from Paris St Germain," a Birmingham spokesman told the club's official website.

"A £4.5million fee has been agreed with PSG and we are currently in negotiations with the player himself.

"We are very hopeful that a deal will be completed once the World Cup finals have finished."

Meanwhile, Birmingham are thought to be considering a move for Cisse's international team-mate Khalilou Fadiga.

The Auxerre ace has impressed for Senegal at the World Cup and his peformances have attracted a great deal of interest.

Fadiga has expressed a desire to play in England and he is rated in the £3 million bracket by Auxerre who are thought to be willing to cash-in on him.