Hull City midfielder George Boateng has turned down the chance to join the Blues on loan, according to a report on Humberside. The 34-year-old Dutchman has made only four Premier League appearances this season.
The Tigers are desperate to reduce their wage bill by selling players in January and loaning them out in the meantime. Boateng, whose contract is up next summer, reportedly earns £12,000-a-week at the KC Stadium.
Holding midfielder Boateng started his career with Rotterdam side Excelsior, moving on to Feyenoord and then Coventry, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before joining Hull for £1 million in July 2008.
The Ghana-born midfielder has won four full international caps with Holland.
Meanwhile, Town's reserves are in action against Watford at Boreham Wood's Meadow Park this evening (KO 7pm).
Elsewhere, England manager Fabio Capello is set to unveil a sculpture of former Blues boss Sir Alf Ramsey at Wembley on Friday. The sculpture, by Philip Jackson, will be tunnel area of the stadium.
Sir Alf’s widow, Lady Victoria Ramsey, has backed the project: "The sculpture of Alfred looks outstanding and the unveiling at Wembley is very appropriate."