Hey, West Ham, leave our kids alone

Birmingham City Chairman Peter Pannu has written to supporters to deny rumours that 'wonderkid' Nathan Redmond is set for a move south - hours after it was revealed that West Ham were interested in securing the services of the 18-year-old.

Local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail, claimed this morning that the Hammers were interested in taking the financially-troubles Blues' current Young Player of the Season, who plays predominantly on the wing, to London in a cut-price £1million deal.

However that will only happen if United are to offer an 'eye-popping offer' according to the former policeman and barrister, who was appointed to City's board a year ago next month.

"I'd like to make it clear that Jack Butland and Nathan Redmond are not for sale unless we are subject to an eye-popping offer," Pannu stated via Birmingham's website. "While the decision to sell [Jordan] Mutch [to Cardiff] was not taken lightly, our intention is to keep hold of other talented gems we have.

"Our supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any derisory financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested, but equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a business."

18-year-old Redmond, who hails from Birmingham's Kitts Green district made his first team debut at St Andrews in August 2010, becoming City second-youngest ever player (behind Trevor Francis) by doing so.

He has been described by the club's former Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of those wingers like Aaron Lennon or Ashley Young", whilst he prompted former City boss Alex Mcleish to state: "Has he got a big future? It looks like it. He's electric".


The boy's got talent: Nathan Redmond
Seen here in action last season...