Harry Redknapp has revealed that the deal to get Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing to Birmingham City is currently "dragging on a bit" but remains hopeful of progress.
The England winger has been told by Garry Monk that he can leave the Riverside Stadium this summer, and the Blues manager registered his interest in the 33-year-old a month ago.
On Friday, however, Redknapp told talkSPORT: "It's still dragging on a bit.
"We are interested but we just can't manage to come to an agreement at the moment with Middlesbrough. They have been fair, but we can't get it over the line.
"But I would like to bring him in. He has got quality and he would certainly help us an awful lot."
Downing has two years left on his Boro contract.