McLeish hoping for quick Larsson deal
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish says he is hoping Seb Larsson will sign a new contract in the close future.
Larsson's current deal runs out at the end of the season and the club is working hard to conclude negotiations that were started earlier in September. The delay in a new deal is thought to be due to a
disagreement over personal terms.
Larsson has been one of the most important players in the club since he joined from Arsenal in 2006. The midfielder has made over 170 appearances for the club scoring 20 goals in the process.
Larsson is a vital part of Birmingham City football club and will be key to McLeish's future plans. However, the club may be forced to sell him in the January transfer window if a deal cannot be drawn
up.
A vital tool
Larsson is a vital tool in the Birmingham machine for a number of reasons. He is one of the few players in the club who can play in any position along the midfield. This makes him ideal as cover in times
when the club has many injured players.
He is a very creative player, which makes him useful in attack. The club has very talented strikers in Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic. Larsson is responsible for setting up a lot of chances for the strikers
to score.
Larsson is arguably the best passer of the ball in Birmingham City. This is vital when the club tries to play counter attacking football. Larsson can pick the ball up in defence and then set-up a striker
with just one pass.
McLeish said: "There is nothing doing at the moment with Seb's contract.
We were hopeful we could get something done, but it is up to Seb. He is now in a good position for himself if he wants to become a Bosman.
But we will keep trying to entice him."
Forced to sell
The problem for McLeish and Birmingham comes if it's clear the player doesn't want to stay at the club. This will force the club to sell him in January if officials do
not want to risk him leaving for free next summer.
This also means that McLeish could be forced to part with one of his most important players at the half-way stage in the season. Larsson is key to how Birmingham plays
and if the club wants to sell then an important tool leaves the club early.
McLeish added: "He's had a great season. His delivery from the wide areas
is great. Seb doesn't have to beat a man. He can get the ball around an opponent with his terrific curl on the ball.
We are just desperate for someone to get on the end of those quality crosses."
Betting advice
Birmingham City looks like a very strong football club. Back the side to stay in the Premier League and also to break the top ten this season. The club has a good squad
and a quality manager that makes this achievable.
Larsson is a very attacking player who can score and create wonderful goals. Back him to score in any game at the moment because if he goes on to join a bigger and better
team, these odds will shorten. Also back him to have the most assists of any Birmingham player in a single game.
There are better candidates than Larsson to be top scorer at the club this season. Jerome looks favourite in this area but Zigic can rattle in many goals once he is used
to the pace and play if the Premier League.
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