Birmingham yesterday learned that they face opposition from Valencia, and more specifically the Spanish club's new manager Claudio Ranieri, for the services of one of his wingers at Chelsea, Jesper Gronkjaer.
Steve Bruce, Birmingham's manager, had hoped to sign the 26-year-old Dane before Euro 2004 began, but Ranieri's appointment at the Mestalla has cast doubts on the move, as has the player's insistence that he is happy at Stamford Bridge.
"It's a battle between us and Valencia for him," claimed David Sullivan, Birmingham City's co-owner. "I would say it's 60-40 in our favour that he will come. We don't believe he wants to leave the country and we think he wants to join us. At least, these are the noises we keep hearing.
"In an ideal world we'd like to have it signed and sealed before the European Championships start. But, as we all know, that perfect world doesn't exist. We are working on it and are still hopeful."
Gronkjaer, who has 12 months left on his contract at Chelsea but who has yet to arrive in Portugal and join the national squad because of a family illness, would be Bruce's third signing of the summer, following Muzzy Izzet and Emile Heskey to St Andrews.
"Gronkjaer is a good player but if it falls through we shall simply go elsewhere," Sullivan added. "There are a lot of other options for us to consider and we shall be looking at all of them."
Ranieri, meanwhile, signed a two-year deal with a one-season option when he rejoined the Spanish champions yesterday. "I'm delighted to be back," the Italian said.
"I promised I would return and here I am. When the club asked me if I wanted to come back I jumped at the chance."
The 52-year-old Ranieri, who had three years remaining on his Chelsea contract when he was sacked last week, received an estimated pay-off of £3m and replaces Rafael Benítez, who resigned last week. Valencia won the Spanish league and the Uefa Cup last season and secured Ranieri's services even though he had talks with Tottenham.
"Nothing is simple in football," Ranieri added. "It could be more difficult for me this time round because it will be hard to improve on a champion team. But I like challenges and this is one that I am delighted to accept.
"I am grateful for the good squad that Rafa [Benítez] has left me, many of whom I know from my previous time here. I promise to work my hardest to keep the team at the top."
Ranieri, who spent four years at Chelsea, will bring his three-man backroom team with him from Stamford Bridge. During his previous spell at Valencia, the Italian guided the club to the Copa del Rey and their first Champions League qualification, in 1999.
He joined Atlético Madrid immediately after that but his stay was cut short when they went into administration seven months later and he quit.
