BIRMINGHAM, Jan 7 (SW) – Birmingham City have failed in a bid t lure Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson in what was believed to have been a player-plus-cash deal.

The struggling Premiership side were said to have offered £3 million plus two players for England international Johnson, with Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan swiftly blocking the proposal.

Palace is desperate to hold onto their most valuable asset, in the hope that Johnson’s goals will help fire them back into the top flight for next season. If the London side fails to win promotion this season, they could look to sell Johnson in the summer.

"We have been told that Andrew Johnson is not for sale,” said disappointed Birmingham supremo David Sullivan.

"Their view is that they are going for promotion and wouldn't look at selling him until the summer at least, assuming they didn't make it."

Birmingham is looking for a striker to complement the skills of new signing Chris Sutton.