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Agent reveals striker McFadden wants to quit Blues

22/06/2008

Scotland striker James McFadden is on a collision course with Birmingham City after revealing he wants to quit the club.

McFadden only joined the Blues in January for £5 million, but wants to move after their relegation to the Championship.

The 25-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Midlands club after leaving Everton due to a lack of first-time chances.

Blues boss Alex McLeish claims the striker is staying at St Andrews, insisting: "We're not in the business of selling our best players. We don't need to. James is absolutely vital to our plans."

McLeish's comments match those of chairman David Gold who has said McFadden is "not for sale".

But McFadden's agent, Willie McKay, claims his client wants to play at the highest level.

"James has told me that he wants to leave," McKay said.

"He is happy when Alex McLeish gave him an opportunity to play first-team football every week but it's a short career and he wants to play at the highest level."

McFadden, who scored four goals in 12 games for Birmingham last season, has been linked with a £5.5 million move to Scottish champions Celtic.

The Hoops are thought to have offered cash plus defender Bobo Balde for the Scotland international.