Birmingham bid for Serbian striker Jovanovic falls apart

Birmingham's ambitious £4million move for Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has collapsed - alerting a host of Premier League rivals.

Blues boss Alex McLeish was in the crowd to see Serbia beat South Korea 1-0 at Craven Cottage last Wednesday.

And City then instigated negotiations to bring the Standard Liege ace to St Andrews in January following Carson Yeung’s takeover.

But the deal has been shelved due to a cash wrangle with agent Barry McIntosh who was commissioned to do the transfer.

McIntosh, who previously introduced former fans’ favourite Mauro Zarate to City, also scouted Christian Benitez for City.

But McIntosh has since reported Birmingham to FIFA after clashing with the club’s previous regime over the summer transfer of Benitez.

And now scouts from Manchester United, Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton are set to watch Jovanovic, 28, for Standard Liege at Arsenal in the Champions League tonight.

McIntosh said: “I was about to get Jovanovic for Alex McLeish but the situation has become precarious as I’ve a legal case pending with FIFA over the transfer of Benitez.”

Everton have a long-term interest in Jovanovic and it is understood the Goodison club bid over £10m for him last season.

Liege are reluctant to sell but Jovanovic is out of contract at the end of the season.

Liege have offers on the table from Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Panathinaikos for him but McIntosh was confident of pulling off a coup to take Jovanovic to Birmingham.