Table-rising Birmingham City have launched a surprise £8 million bid for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel, according to The Independent. The 23-year-old is out of favour at the club and is reportedly eager to leave having failed to ever establish himself as a first team regular in two and a half years at the club. Birmingham owner Carson Yeung is willing to spend big to help Birmingham progress and Brum manager Alex McLeish rates the Dutchman enough to want to sign him.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has already claimed that Babel is not for sale but with Liverpool needing to sell to buy players there is a good chance that Benitez could let the winger go so as to bring in more targets of his own to boost his faltering squad. Liverpool’s valuation of the player remains up at £12 million though as they wish to recuperate the money they spent on signing him from Ajax in 2007. This shouldn’t be a problem for Birmingham though who have plenty of money to spend; McLeish has already revealed

“We won't rule out a marquee signing, if there is someone out there who I think can make a huge difference to this team. We would try if we could but, again, there has got to be a cut-off point. I still don't think we have to spend £20m, £40m or whatever was quoted at the time. I don't think there's any point in bringing players who are not as good as what we have. You don't progress doing that.”

Birmingham’s weakest point has been their attack so far this season and Babel would add some much needed pace and creativity should they sign him and should he find some form. Signing a Liverpool player would also boost the profile of the club as it would show that Birmingham are capable of attracting players to the club from even a big club.

[Is there any substance to this and should this rumour Fly or Die?]