Blues close on second striker swoop

Birmingham are closing in on the signing of Marcus Bent after the Charlton striker snubbed a move to Cardiff City.

Cardiff thought they had secured the signing of Bent after holding talks with the player for the last week, but Birmingham have nipped in at the last moment and are now favourites to land him.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has already signed Kevin Phillips from West Brom and wants to pair him up with Bent, while the Addicks will just be glad to get him off the wage bill.

A Cardiff statement read: "Shortly before Marcus Bent was due to arrive for his medical and complete his move to Cardiff City, we were informed that he had changed his mind and asked Charlton permission to speak to Birmingham.

"Whilst at this stage we are unaware of whether he has been given permission to talk to Birmingham City, we only want players who are committed to Cardiff City Football Club and therefore have withdrawn from the deal."

Charlton boss Alan Pardew is said to be lining up Bolton's Heider Helguson as a replacement.