Birmingham City face stiff competition to keep hold of striker Christian Benitez.

The Sunday Sun says the Mexican club of Birmingham loanee Christian "Chucho" Benitez claim that Newcastle United are vying with Sunderland as well as West Ham for his permanent signature.

But with Club Santos Laguna having already surprised Birmingham with their £7 million-plus valuation of the Ecuador striker, it remains to be seen whether either Tyne-Wear club see the 24-year-old as a viable option.