Birmingham City are making a sensational move for Real Madrid hero Raul.
Former Liverpool, Real and England winger McManaman is on the board of Grandtop International Holdings, the Hong Kong-based company who have just spent £15million to buy a 29.9 per cent stake in the Blues and are preparing to shell out a further £35m to gain full control.
And Carson Yeung, the billionaire head of GIH, wants to use McManaman's extensive contacts in the game to lure the top talent to St Andrews.
The first name on that hit-list is Champions League top scorer Raul, who became firm friends with McManaman when the pair played together at the Bernabeu.
And the 30-year-old former Spain captain is willing to listen to his pal's offer after learning new Real boss Bernd Schuster will let the club's old guard go.
