Birmingham City linked with Bastia defender Alexander Djiku

Birmingham City have reportedly joined the race to sign Bastia defender Alexander Djiku.

The French club are said to be desperate to offload players in a bid to clear a deficit of almost £4.5m and avoid demotion to the country's third tier in the process.

Djiku, who is rated at around £2.5m, has also been linked with Crystal Palace, Fulham and a number of clubs on the continent, according to L'Equipe.

The 22-year-old has made 91 appearances for Bastia, 23 of which were last season, since emerging from the club's youth system.

Djiku would become Birmingham's second defensive capture of the summer, with the Blues having already recruited Marc Roberts from Barnsley.