Birmingham will find out within the next 48 hours whether Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin will move to St Andrews in a £2million deal.
Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block should 28-year-old Luccin make his mind up to sign for City.
He will be familiar with at least one Birmingham player in Olivier Kapo, who was once a France Under-21 team-mate.
Bruce said: "We are hopeful and we should know something in the next day or two."