Alex McLeish keen for spending spree

Published on Monday 8 March 2010 22:05

ALEX McLeish has warned he will need to undertake a major spending spree this summer if Birmingham are to consolidate their position in the Barclays Premier League.

McLeish insists he has been given no indication by owner Carson Yeung that the money available for new players will be affected by the 20.5million loss suffered by the club during the final year of the David Sullivan-David Gold reign.

Yeung announced his capture of Blues earlier this season by pledging 20-40m for new signings in January plus more funds ahead of the 2010-11 campaign.

McLeish spent only a fraction of that amount during the last transfer window and has performed a major feat in steering City into a top-ten position in the table with 11 games remaining.

But the former Scotland manager is aware he will have to bring in new blood – particularly up front – for Birmingham to maintain their current momentum.

McLeish said: "Nobody has said last season's losses would affect things. We were talking about spending 20m in January and I only spent 6m of that.

"I would imagine that remaining 14m – plus whatever there is available to be spent this summer – means we should be reasonably healthy. But, if we want to remain a Premier League team and certainly get to where we are now, season after season, then you have got to keep up with the Joneses.

"Yes, we need to improve again and enhance the squad. In forward areas we need to add to the quality – and these areas are not cheap."