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McLeish denies Diatta deal

Image: Diatta: Free agent

Alex McLeish has insisted he is not on the verge of bringing Lamine Diatta to Birmingham.

Blues boss plays down reports

Alex McLeish has insisted he is not on the verge of bringing Lamine Diatta to Birmingham. Reports had suggested this week that a deal had been reached for the Senegal international to join Blues on loan for the rest of the season. Veteran defender Diatta is a free agent after buying out the remainder of his contract at Besiktas, and McLeish has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his back four. McLeish is aware of Diatta's situation but has played down talk of a possible move.

Situation

"His name came on my desk but it is nothing more than that at the moment," said the former Scotland boss. "I am looking at it but I haven't done anything as regards bringing him in. "I think somebody said that I'd signed him but it is only a name on my desk and I believe he is out of contract so that's the situation. He'd be a free agent." Diatta has spent most of his career in France, with spells at Toulouse, Marseille, Rennes, Lyon and St Etienne.

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