Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka says he is 60-70 per cent sure the club will recruit a new striker in the January window amid rumours of a £2 million bid for Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet.
The 23-year-old has made an effortless step up to the top flight of Scottish football after banging in the goals at lower league level with Dunfermline and Raith Rovers.
Nisbet has scored 13 times in all competitions since arriving at Easter Road in the summer for a reported £250,000 fee, however the Hibees could see an instant return on their investment should they decide to cash in during the winter window.
Manager Jack Ross assured the green and white faithful the club was under “no duress” to part with its most prominent talent this month, with a number of English sides also closely monitoring the progress of defenders Josh Doig and Ryan Porteous.
However Karanka, who is also said to have tabled a similar bid for Aberdeen’s Sam Cosgrove, admitted the Blues could be priced out of a move to reinforce their forward line - despite being confident the struggling Championship side will be able to add to their squad before Monday’s deadline.
“We are working but if nobody arrives it is because we couldn’t afford the striker and I am not going to come here on February 2 and complain," Karanka said.
“I know how good a job the club is doing in every single area and the club is doing their best to try to bring the right players. So let’s see what is happening
"It is a difficult question, 60-70 per cent I am confident that somebody is going to come.”
Birmingham, who sit 19th in England’s second tier, face Coventry City at St Andrew’s on Saturday.
