The Birmingham City target has signed for Bursaspor instead.
Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp has told Talksport he thought the signing of Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was in the bag.
Birmingham have struggled to build on their early success in the summer transfer window, with the last of their four new faces arriving on 13 July.
But Redknapp has stressed Blues’ difficulties are not for a lack of trying, as evidenced by his six-and-a-half hour venture to Huddersfield to watch Agyemang-Badu – for whom a season-long loan was lined up – in action for Udinese last week.
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu in action for Udinese (front left)
“At the moment we’ve found it very difficult,” the 70-year-old said. “It’s not been for a lack of trying. I did a deal the other day for a lad from Udinese, Badu, who is a good player, Ghanaian boy, top midfield player.
“I drove to Huddersfield to watch him play, it took me six-and-a-half hours to get to Huddersfield. I got there, missed the first 20 minutes. But anyway, I met him after. I spoke to him for two days. He gave me his word on the phone that he was definitely (coming). ‘I want to play for you coach, I promise you…’ he gave me his word.
“(I) wake up next morning, I thought that’s great I’ve got him, he’s a real good player this boy. His value is £6 million, we we’re going to loan him for the year. (I) wake up next morning, he’s signed for a Turkish club (Bursaspor).”
Redknapp also verified media reports which claimed Birmingham have had a bid turned down for Bristol City defenders Aden Flint and Joe Bryan.
According to The Sun (August 3, page 51), Blues offered £5 million for the pair, and Robins boss Lee Johnson told The Bristol Post on Wednesday that Flint in particular has had his ‘head turned’ by the recent interest in him from various clubs.
Bristol City’s Aden Flint (right)
Redknapp has already added Barnsley centre-back Marc Roberts, but missed out to Aston Villa on the signing of former England captain John Terry.
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