Birmingham signed Benitez for cut-price deal

Birmingham City managed to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez for a cut-price £1 million, it has been revealed.

The People says they had originally agreed to pay Mexican club Santos Laguna £8.5m for the 23-year-old. But a knee problem showed up during his medical and McLeish was able to negotiate a deal to take him on a year's loan at a reduced sum.

If at the end of the season all parties are happy, there's an option to complete a permanent deal for an £7.5m.

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Comments (3)

i dont care how much he cost he better be as his agent says "as good as ,messi"

Sorry, but that's not strictly true.

It's not a loan, but a staggered permanent deal with a clause for us to terminate the contract during this season should a knee problem crock him for a long period.

We can't get out of the deal any other way, and we will be forced to pay the rest of the transfer fee at the end of the season unless the knee problem shows.

Once again, 'The People' shows that London rags don't really have a clue!

no comment