Souness prepared to let Taylor join Birmingham

Graeme Souness, the Blackburn Rovers manager, is ready to sell Martin Taylor to Birmingham City as the clubs reopen talks about a £3m deal.

The young central defender was needed by Souness in an emergency against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend but was at fault for a couple of goals in the 4-3 defeat.

Birmingham scouts were at the game but have not been put off and have made contact with Blackburn about pushing through the deal as soon as possible. Souness is willing to let Taylor go despite fears that he may improve and develop at a new club. He needs funds immediately to bring in players in a couple of positions.

Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, also has faith in his own judgement on Taylor and the tall defender could be given permission to speak terms this week.

Meanwhile, Blackburn are looking at the Norwegian midfielder Martin Andresen with a view to a possible deal. However, he has not played for a couple of months and is not fully match-fit.

Gillingham have signed the striker Patrick Agyemang from Wimbledon on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old scored 20 League goals for the Dons in 120 appearances, many of which were as a substitute. But he has really caught the eye this season, scoring seven goals despite Wimbledon's lowly position in the First Division table.

Gillingham's player-manager, Andy Hessenthaler, is confident he will sign a new contract soon. Hessenthaler's deal expires at the end of the season but he is keen to stay at Priestfield.