Rangers legend Barry Ferguson knows England's second city inside out after a spell at Birmingham.
And given the size of the two clubs down there, he's aware of how much of a draw Aston Villa will be to Steven Gerrard.
But the thing that raised the current Alloa boss' eyebrows most about the manager's potential exit is the compensation package his former club are set to receive from the Premier League side.
Record Sport revealed on Tuesday night that £3million is the most their boss will fetch on a deal, which some outlets across the border now already believe to be done.
Ferguson, speaking to Go Radio, compared that to the fee Celtic netted for losing Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City and insists that kind of figure stopped him in his tracks.
The ex-captain said "I'm very surprised. You look at Brendan Rodgers and his team and assistants, I think it was £9million.
"You look at Steven Gerrard and his assistants, £2-3million.
"I'm very surprised at that."
Ferguson has experience of playing in Birmingham's big derby and while it might not rival the passion of Glasgow that Gerrard is leaving behind, he knows the noise the Holte End can generate.
And, of course, the type of cash big-spending owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have on offer.
"Just over £7billion," he added. "I was looking at what kind of money they have and the owners are clearly wealthy men, and they back the managers.
"That's maybe one of the things Steven Gerrard is looking at.
"They've had a poor start to the season but they have got good players. They are a sleeping giant.
"I've played there on a few occasions, the atmosphere is really good.
"I'm just surprised, I thought he would have stayed until the end of the season but he may be thinking he might not get this opportunity again."
