Alex McLeish hopes his Birmingham City board finance a deal for Michel.

The Blues manager is keen to add the Sporting Gijon midfielder to his squad this summer, but he admits much depends on whether his board will sanction the transfer.

"We have made some contact and there are talks going on," McLeish said. "But it depends on the finances. We have spent more than the designated budget agreed at the end of the season.

"I had to do that, the board have seen the difference between last time in the Premier League and now. I believe he could be a good asset, but we will be guided by the board's decision."