By Aydan Anderson
December 29 2004

It seems Robbie Blake is on his way to St Andrews after Burnley manager Steve Cotterill admitted that Blake would be leaving in January. And with Steve Bruce confirming blues have made a £1.3m bid for the striker, the Midlands seems to be the most likely destination.

As Bluenoses Online revealed earlier in the week Robbie Blake is almost certain to join Blues in January after Birmingham revealed they had made a £1.3million offer for the strikers services.

Steve Bruce admitted that Blake was one of his main transfer targets and that he had submitted an offer to Burnley to think over. Bruce said:

"I have spoken to the Burnley manager - we lodged a bid and we are waiting to hear back from Burnley." Bruce had also previously shown his admiration for Blake:

"We need some cover in attack. He is bright and lively and has scored a lot of goals in his career."

Burnley manage Steve Cotterill was resigned to the fact his key man would be leaving in January. Cotterill said:

"I've resigned myself to thinking that Robbie is now going to be on his way. That's very disappointing as a manager."

"There's going to be a decision to be made when he goes. I say when he goes because I do think that any player who gets an opportunity to play in the Premiership. You can't hold them back."

"He's been great for me. There's only one person who suffered here and that's me because I can't pick him anymore, but I just think that he deserves a chance to be playing in the Premiership."

Cotterill also confirmed the club were in talks with Birmingham chairmen David and Ralph Gold about Blake's move to the Midlands.

"The two chairmen at Birmingham and our club are talking about the future and I'm sure things will materialise in the future unfortunately."

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For more information on Blake and this story please see the 'Bruce to bid for Blake' article that was previously on Bluenoses Online earlier this week:
http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s243/st63806.htm - Bruce to bid for Blake?

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Now that the deal looks almost complete what are your views on the signing of 28 year old Robbie Blake? Do you think he's the type of player we need to take the club forward or do you think its a stop gap buy by Brucey? Please leave your views on the message board or email them to us at Bluenoses Online.
http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/list/s243.htm - Bluenoses Online Message Board