Boss hoping to talkAlen into new deal
BIRMINGHAM City are still in talks with gifted play-maker Alen Halilovic.
The Croatian, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Friday, joined Blues on a short-term contract last November.
He went on to play 17 times, first under Aitor Karanka and then Lee Bowyer, and his trickery and creativity made him a popular player with supporters.
While his return of one goal didn’t set any records and his half-season was interrupted by a couple of niggling injuries, his ability in tight spaces and tactical flexibility were a boost to the battle against relegation.
Halilovic started on the wing in Bowyer’s first game, a 2-1 victory over Reading, and also played central midfield, on the side of a diamond and No.10 in what was an intriguing few months at St Andrew’s.
As a result Blues offered him a new deal, along with homegrown prospects Caolan Boyd-Munce and Ryan Stirk, and, like the rookies, negotiations with Halilovic’s representatives are yet to conclude.
There has been very little speculation about the former Barcelona man’s future, although it is claimed he has offers in England, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
After breaking through in his early career as one of the hottest properties in Croatian football, Halilovic has not yet fulfilled that promise.
Indeed, his recent career has been nomadic and he has not started a season at the same club since 2017, when he stayed with Spanish outfit Las Palmas.
In the past few years he has played for Standard Liege and Heerenveen before negotiating his release from AC Milan at the end of last term and joining Blues in November – even then he had to wait for his debut while international clearance was sought.