Birmingham City remain hopeful of closing an agreement for Sporting Gijon winger Michel.

The Birmingham Mail says it appears that it was Sporting Gijon who tried to change the original agreement for the midfielder, who is rated at €3 million.

Blues, who have constantly insisted that his transfer would take them over budget, persuaded Gijon to accept the fee in chunks.

But Gijon, in the last couple of days, have demanded a bigger down payment, probably of €1.5 million.

Michel was all set to fly into Birmingham for a medical on Tuesday but was left in limbo as negotiations rumbled on.