Exclusive: Phil Neumann completes Birmingham City medical but deal hits hurdle
Birmingham City are close to agreeing a deal to sign Hannover centre-back Phil Neumann and he has already undergone a medical, sources have told Football Insider.
The League One outfit are in talks to sign the 27-year-old after having a £3.4million offer rejected last summer.
It is believed that Neumann arrived in the UK last Friday and underwent a medical at Birmingham.
However, a deal is not yet agreed even though Birmingham hope to secure a full agreement before the January window shuts.
Talks between the clubs have stalled, with Hannover holding out for a £4million asking price.
Football Insider revealed on 3 November that Birmingham planned to launch an improved bid for the centre-back this month.
Neumann has been identified as a top target for the Blues after his performances in the German second tier.
Hannover want £4million for Birmingham top target Neumann
He has played 90 minutes in all but one of Hannover’s games this term, missing the clash against Hertha Berlin last month through suspension.
The former Germany Under-20 international is an experienced operator at 2.Bundesliga level, racking up 173 games in the division in spells with Hannover, Holsten Kiel and Ingolstadt.
He primarily plays as a centre-back but can also ply his trade at right-back.
Birmingham sit top of League One under manager Chris Davies and are two points ahead of Wycombe and Wrexham with two games in hand on their closest rivals.
The Blues spent heavily in the summer window, breaking their transfer record to land striker Jay Stansfield as the biggest of 17 deals.
In other news, League One trio race to sign Sam Clucas.
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