Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is reluctant to move to Birmingham City.

The Daily Mail says Boateng is worried that any move to Birmingham would see him fall foul of FIFA rules as he is hoping to return to the Bundesliga in January.

Tottenham midfielder Boateng has already appeared for Spurs' reserves this season and fears that a loan spell with Birmingham would mean he could not play for a third club in one season.

But Birmingham officials have assured him that a three-month 'emergency' Football League loan would not count against him leaving him free to play in Germany in the new year if he wants.

Boateng's agent Jorg Neubauer said that the former Hertha Berlin player was concerned about going out on loan as he would prefer to go to Germany if he left Spurs where he has been frozen out of Juande Ramos's plans.

McLeish is still trying to set up talks with Boateng to see if he is keen on a move to Birmingham.

"I want to look at the player in the face and see if he wants to come," said McLeish.