Aston Villa have approached Birmingham City about Alex McLeish's situation.
The Blues' acting chairman, Peter Pannu, spent the day talking to lawyers and the club are going to demand £5million in compensation.
Pannu said: "He is still our contracted staff and Birmingham City FC does not grant him any right to speak to any outsiders until the matter is resolved.
"It's about time discipline is instilled into this game and I am not a person who gets pushed about."
