Chinese takeaway?

So he's back then, Carson Yeung.

Does he mean business this time, or are we going to endure the same old farcical shenanigans as 2007?

Well, let's put it this way: if a takeover goes belly up again, what on earth was the point of buying 29.9 per cent of Blues shares in the first place?

From what I can gather, there is a real possibility of Blues changing hands. Possibly by the end of October.

Yeung's firm, Grandtop International Holdings, doesn't seem to have the muscle to buy Solihull Moors, let alone Blues.

Speaking to people in Hong Kong and looking at their accounts, it lost £7 million last year and is hardly on a sound footing.

Yeung wanted the Chinese to flock and buy shares in Grandtop in 2007 which would in turn have realised the money to complete his takeover. That plan failed, miserably.

He has had a long while since to find new sources of revenue and it does appear that he has succeeded in doing so. A couple of major backers are believed to be among his group this time.

The board, after what happened before, are playing hardball with him.

To get a look at the books again he is having to stump up a significant amount of cash. Six figures, and more for the deeper he delves.

Although the board won't talk publicly about what exactly is going on, I believe they feel he is going to make a formal offer.

They are preparing to go through all the correct procedures with the relevant legal and football authorities.

I have been told that the next week to a fortnight is likely to be critical. In that period, we should get a better indiciation of whether Yeung will press ahead, or draw back.

Much has been made of the fact that transfer activity has seemingly stalled because Yeung is now back on the scene. It's not to do with Yeung.

Alex McLeish has, apparently, gone over spending targets and he has to sell before or he can buy again (Gregory Vignal was effectively a free). That is unless he can twist the board's arm.

Here's what he said to the media today, when asked about Michel: "There are some talks going on.

"Again, it depends on where the finances are in the deal because I know they way we are at the moment, we've spent more than the designated budget, the budget that was agreed at the end of the season.

"But I think I obviously had to do that. The board have seen the difference between the last time in the Premier League and now.

"But I would still like to enhance the squad further. Whether the board can do that, or see themselves fit to do that, that's really their decision."

Blues directors would be willing sellers. If Yeung decides to offer them more than twice the value of the shares - as he did last time - then they will go.

Think about it for a moment. Do they stay on, knowing that supporters are not that enamoured any more? Imagine if they presided over a third successive Premier League relegation.

West Ham United has, predictably, been touted as a possible destination. Personally, I can't see that happening. It would simply be too much of a drain on their resources.

More likely David Sullivan would try to rekindle the old days and have some fun at a club like Barnet or Southend United.

David Gold would probably be happy to stay on in an ambassadorial role, or to help smooth the transition.

But Yeung and his camp would surely want to get their own people in. That's usually the way of these things.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, however.

Nothing has yet been decided - but it soon could be.