Loan swoop for Jeff looks like it won’t work out

BIRMINGHAM City have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Jefferson Montero – due to the Swansea City winger’s work permit situation.

Blues were first linked with the former Albion loanee at the end of June after Pep Clotet was confirmed as Garry Monk’s successor.

Clotet worked with Montero when he was Monk’s assistant in south Wales and sources have linked the Ecuador international with a loan move to St Andrew’s. Montero has a year left to run on his contract at the Liberty Stadium and would be available on a free transfer after spending the campaign at another club.

But issues with his work permit are set to block a transfer to another club in England. Montero is having ‘problems’ being granted a permit and is now likely to move abroad instead.

When he signed for Swansea he had a valid permit – but has since fallen out of favour with his national side, which impacts his ability to switch clubs.

The 29-year-old is understood to be seeking legal advice on the situation as he eyes an exit during the window.

Blues are yet to make a new signing since Clotet was placed in charge but the caretaker coach said there are ‘advanced’ deals in the pipeline.

He said: “We are working with a lot of possibilities and some of them are advanced.

“It’s exciting because the benefit we have is we know exactly what we need – we know we are a solid team and know what we are lacking.

“What we are lacking is really what we lost, a little bit of creativity, a bit of goals with Che (Adams) and that’s what we need to improve.

“We need players that are going to come here with hunger to keep the team progressing.”