Birmingham

Blues looked like they had finally secured the services of the 24-year-old France international winger when they agreed a club record fee with Wigan following a summer-long pursuit.

However, a late hitch meant that they failed to reach an agreement over N’Zogbia’s personal terms and the player will not be making the switch to St Andrews.

McLeish was disappointed at the outcome as he was hoping the former Le Havre player, who joined Wigan from Newcastle United in January 2009 after falling out of favour at St James’ Park, would help them push on from last season’s mid-table Premier League finish (Birmingham 20/1 – Top-6 Finish).

But the Scot revealed that ‘the goalposts were moved at the last minute despite the club doing everything that had been asked. As a result the deal no longer suited Birmingham and he must look elsewhere for new faces following Sunday’s Premier League trip to Bolton (Birmingham 13/5, Bolton 11/10, draw 9/4 – 90 Minutes) and before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

McLeish told the club’s website: “It was very important to us as a club to stick to our principals and look after the long-term interests of Birmingham City as we are custodians of the club.

“We remain ambitious and committed to adding extra quality to the playing squad but this deal became one that was not in the interests of the club.

“The Board worked with me extremely hard to try and get this one over the line and I thank them for their support.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez will now be hoping to keep N’Zogbia, who was player of the season at the DW Stadium last term, as they look to bounce back from a disastrous start in which they have lost two home games against Blackpool and Chelsea respectively, conceding ten goals in the process.

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