Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp has played down speculation linking his side with a move for Lille forward Eder, via The Birmingham Mail.

29-year-old Eder moved to the French outfit only last year following a decent loan spell there the season before, in which he scored six goals in just 13 Ligue 1 matches to help the club finish fourth in the division, and thus qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

However, last season wasn’t quite as prolific for the Portugal international, who of course netted the winner in the Euro 2016 final against France last summer, with the former Swansea City man netting just seven times in 37 matches in all competitions for the French side.

And it appeared earlier this week that his time at Lille could be coming to an end this month, as reports suggested that Redknapp’s Birmingham, as well as Chris Hughton’s Brighton, were considering a move for the 29-year-old.

However, Blues chief Redknapp has laughed off the speculation, saying: ‘There’s absolutely no truth in that whatsoever.’

These comments are sure to intrigue Birmingham fans, who have seen their striking options take a hit in recent times due to the injury to star forward Che Adams, who joins Lukas Jutkiewicz on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

Yet it doesn’t appear at all likely that Eder will be the man to bolster those flagging options this month.

The Verdict: Eder’s only spell in English football was a disastrous one back in 2015/16, with the Portugal international failing to net in 15 games for Swansea before being shipped out on loan to Lille.

And the forward then enjoyed a fruitful six months or so by netting six goals in 13 games for Lille and then in the Euro 2016 final for Portugal, but last season didn’t quite hit the heights, and as a result the French side are reportedly seeking to get rid of the 29-year-old.

Yet it won’t be Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham who take him off their hands, with the 70-year-old categorically denying any interest in the forward, despite his depleted striking options at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!