Birmingham Accept Liam Ridgewell Transfer Offer From Newcastle United
Could make the move to the North East before the window shuts if personal terms can be agreed!
With Mike Williamson ruled out through injury for around six weeks, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has no cover for his centre half's Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini and because of that, is making a late bid for a new defender. Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell is the man in question, with Newcastle having a last minute bid accepted by the midlands club. Ridgewell is no doubt itching to make his way back to the Premier League, something his colleagues Scott Dann has already done today with a move to Blackburn Rovers and also Cameron Jerome at Stoke - Birmingham aren't really in an financial position to turn down offers. Having made the £2 million move from rivals Aston Villa in 2007 (the first player to make a move across the midland divide in 23 years!) Ridgewell has been a consistent heart in the Birmingham defence having appeared 141 times and pitching in with an important 9 goal haul. There's no word on the transfer fee but my guess is something around £4 million. Though as a Newcastle fan, I would be quite happy if former manager Chris Hughton wanted to take James Perch, Nile Ranger or Alan Smith with him to St. Andrews to keep the cost down.