McFadden 'wants Birmingham exit' - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

McFadden 'wants Birmingham exit'

Scotland striker James McFadden is keen to leave Birmingham following their relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship, according to his agent.

McFadden joined Birmingham from Everton in January for £5million but could not keep Alex McLeish's side in the Barclays Premier League.

With Celtic interested, McFadden could move back to Scotland and agent Willie McKay said: "James has told me that he wants to leave."

He added: "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, 25, signed a three-and-a-half-year contract when he arrived at Birmingham and has scored four goals in 12 games.

Blues manager McLeish insists McFadden is not available for transfer and will stay with Birmingham for next season.

He told the Sunday Mail: "We're not in the business of selling our best players. We don't need to. James is absolutely vital to our plans."

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