THE odds on Niko Kranjcar signing for Birmingham have been cut after Harry Redknapp agreed to stay on as manager.
Redknapp has settled on a one-year contract to remain at St Andrew’s after steering the club to Championship safety last season.
He led the Blues to two wins in his three games in charge, which was enough for the club just just avoid the drop into League One.
Now he has decided to tale up the offer of leading the club next season, but only after gaining assurances from the club’s Chinese owners that he could bring in new players.
The fact Redknapp is now in the market for signings has led to bookmakers shortening the price on Kranjcar to make the move to the midlands.
Redknapp has already signed the Croatian midfielder three times in his career, taking him to Portsmouth, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers.
Now BetVictor has cut Kranjcar’s price from 3/1 to 2/1 to sign for Birmingham this summer, and also make the club favourites to sign Peter Crouch too.
Spokesperson Jack Milner said : “Kranjcar has been supported into 2/1 from 3s to re-join old pal Harry Redknapp at St Andrew’s, having played for him at Portsmouth, Spurs and QPR.
“Whilst BetVictor make Birmingham City the 6/1 market leaders to sign Peter Crouch before the close of this year’s Summer Transfer Window.”
Kranjcar is currently sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered while playing for Scottish giants Rangers last October.
The 32-year-old admits it has been slow progress recovering from the problem but says he hopes it is not serious enough for him to be forced to retire.