Developments re the 'mystery £90k-a-week man'.

He will be named tomorrow in the Birmingham Mail, and the background to Blues pursuit explained.

Then at least the guessing game can stop!

But have Blues pulled off a coup and got their target?

All will be revealed . . .

It's not very often we get all in a lather about centre-halves, is it?

Well they've created plenty of debate since well before the season's triumphant end, and will continue to do so for some while yet.

The changing of the guard is happening at St Andrew's.

Scott Dann has come in, it is increasingly likely that Roger Johnson does, while Geovanny Espinoza was undergoing his medical in Birmingham today.

Then we have Joe Hart, a new goalkeeper, and the likelihood of a left-back on loan from the Premier League or abroad.

Having the right combination at the heart of defence is absolutely vital.

Think back to when Blues first came into the Premier League in 2002.

Kenny Cunningham was an inspired signing. He had the know-how, he could read a game and organise. Then Matthew Upson arrived. Pace, power, purpose, hunger.

Those two under-pinned Blues in the first three seasons.

Darren Purse, Michael Johnson, Steve Vickers, Olivier Tebily and Joey Hutchinson were all around St Andrew's at that time seven years ago.

But it was all about getting the right pair to gel, and that was Cunningham and Upson without question.

Dann, 22, and Johnson, 26 have no Premier League experience; Espinoza (32) has been round the block but not over here. Martin Taylor, at 29, is the grand old man of Blues central defenders.

Liam Ridgewell (24) walked the Championship and will get better as the years tick by. It's a shame for him and Blues that he suffered ill fortune and broke his leg.

Alex McLeish has to hope that his defence learns fast, clicks and hold firm.

It won't be for a lack of desire as both Dann and Johnson are itching to make their mark at the highest level. Espinoza will be eager to please.

The way the rest of the team is set up and does their duty in Blues own territory is critical too of course.

It might be too much to ask for another Cunningham-Upson straight away. But the alternative to change was to do nothing - and that just was not an option.

On the subject of getting into a lather, as for the 'mystery 90k-a-week man', there's nothing really new to report. It remains a long shot.

From what I gather Blues have recently tried to change his mind about entertaining them, but he is not a priority target and was not budgeted for.

It would be a bit like an extra topping on the cake, a pleasant surprise, if it came off. And a 'special case', a bit like Christian Benitez, transfer kitty wise.

Five, now six, weeks ago, as I've written elsewhere, Blues became aware that he might be available and contact was made through his representatives.

The board and McLeish have been working assiduously on other targets since, primarily those to remodel the centre of defence.

Last time Blues won at Manchester United anyone?

Last time they scored a goal moreover.

In eight visits they've lost the lot and not scored. Before that there was a draw, which followed another two losses that drew a blank.

So some way to start the new campaign, at the home of the Champions!

To discuss the fixture list for 2009-10, which were released today, join the Birmingham Mail writers from 1pm for a special live web chat on www.birminghammail.net.

Oh, and it was in 1978, when goals by Kevin Dillon and Trevor Francis gave Blues a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Scott Dann is the first but won't be the last defender to join Blues this summer.

Alex McLeish has been trying to bolster the centre-half position ever since he took over at Blues.

Gary Cahill got away, which left Eck and Blues cold. It was genuinely felt he was in the bag until a late chance of mind saw him leave Villa for Bolton Wanderers.

There have been a couple of attempts to take Sami Hyypia, who ended up signing a whopping contract at Bayer Leverkusen after exiting Liverpool on a free.

Then there were the cases of Calum Davenport and Matt Mills. And there have been plenty of others looked at and either dismissed or considered out of reach.

There's no messing about by Blues now.

Blues saw off Wolves for Dann, the Sky Blues captain.

Geovanny Espinoza is also on his way to St Andrew's. And don't rule out Roger Johnson arriving either. I suspect it's either him or Oguchi Onyewu.

At left-back, Blues have David Murphy on the injured list and Franck Queudrue. But expect to see another specialist for that position join, and talks are continuing with Djimi Traore, who can provide cover at full-back or in the centre.

Dann's signing, for an initial £3.5 million, is an interesting one.

His rise from Walsall junior to Premier League has been swift and if you counsel opinion of people in the game about him, you get conflicting views.

Highly promising, the potential to improve, a sound investment. On the other hand, I've heard from those who don't think he will cut it at the highest level.

Never mind whether he's worth the fee or not. Same applies with Johnson. Nowadays it's impossible to get a Matthew Upson for £750,000.

Dann's price is the going rate and although McLeish would love to be able to spend £10 million each on a proven Premier League pairing, he can't.

McLeish said just after the season ended he might have to bring in an emerging player or two and work with them; that's what he's done with Dann and, to an extent,
could do with Johnson as well, another who has yet to make the jump from Championship to Premier League.

What Blues like about Dann is that he has the basic attributes to do a sound job and get better. Also, his on-pitch attitude is that of a leader, a strong Liam Daish type.

He is quiet and unassuming off it, but once across the white line he's vocal and wants to dominate his domain.

A few people who have watched him regular told me that he is a good header of the ball, has very good feet and can pick out a pass. Dann, although 6ft 2in tall, is not a clogging type of centre-half.

He is a threat at set-pieces - as Blues found out when he plundered the only goal of the game at the Ricoh Arena in February - and check out this goal for Walsall against
Rochdale, which suggests he's not lumbering on the deck.

Dann had a hard time of it against Chelsea and Didier Drogba when Coventry were knocked out of the FA Cup in the quarter-finals. He was muscled off the ball for the first goal.

And like any player new in the Premier League, he is going to have to learn fast.

Whilst he can get stuck in and mix it, despite what happened when Drogba mugged him, his sharpness and reading of the game is more of an asset. He's not lightning quick, but neither he is a slouch.

The England under-21 international is sure to show rough edges in the sort of company he will be battling against next season.

But you would think that someone with McLeish's pedigree in the position should be able to nurture a promising centre-half, and Dann's determination to succeed given the opportunity presented to him should count for something too.

Gareth Southgate got in a pickle before his Middlesbrough side's Premier League demise.

The Boro boss and ex-Villa captain took exception to Alex McLeish's comments about David Wheater.

An intelligent bloke, Southgate probably knew that McLeish wasn't really trying to unsettle Wheater or destabilise an already destabilised team.

And on further reflection of the context of the remarks, he would maybe accept it was all a bit of fluff really.

McLeish was talking in general terms, and used Wheater as a random example of the obstacles Blues were likely to face during their summer search for centre-halves.

Southgate wasn't happy though: "David Wheater is one that we have no intention of letting go. He is a big part of the future of this football club.

"It was at a fans' forum and we've all said more than we should have at them. I'm sure Alex will regret how it has come out. It doesn't help.

"I haven't had any sort of apology on the phone but there you go. You're a bit looser if you're talking to your fans. I'm sure he might regret saying it, but it's irrelevant."

Wheater himself went all goggle-eyed: "The speculation doesn't unsettle me, it's flattering. I saw £9 million mentioned and I was like, 'Flipping heck!'

"It's madness isn't it? But it doesn't really bother me."

It seems that it's a case of not how much you've got, but what you do with it.

That's Alex McLeish's transfer lot this summer.

He has asked the board why won't they give him £30 million - £40 million, the money garnered from the Premier League television agreement.

They countered with the usual tale of Sunderland (£90 million spent over the last two years, still fighting for their lives) and the dark scenario of a Southampton.

Although it wasn't what McLeish wanted to hear, he understood the viewpoint and has decided to just get on with it.

I don't think we should be too surprised. Going on the past, Blues have never shelled out massive amounts per season.

The last time in the Premier League, Steve Bruce spent about £10 million on a collection of new players, including Garry O'Connor, Oliver Kapo, Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell. Stuart Parnaby, Daniel de Ridder and Richard Kingson were added on frees.

Then, in January, McLeish was given £6.5 million for James McFadden and David Murphy. Also, £5 million was made available for Gary Cahill. So that does take us beyond £20 million, in fairness.

So, by that token, I would estimate that he probably has somewhere between £10 million - £15 million to play with, plus any money raised from sales.

Then there are the so-called 'special cases', a player who might tickle the fancy of all concerned.

This is why McLeish told the audience at the Banks's/BRMB Football Forum in Sheldon the other night that, no, he didn't have the wherewithal to splash out £8 million or £9 million on one player, David Wheater was the example in question.

Hence also the move to bring in Bobo Balde for pre-season training with a view to a free transfer. It makes sense considering the circumstances.

Balde, McLeish suspects, still has sufficient mobility and strength. Whether he's rusty, or his hunger has been diluted, he should find out for definite in July.

Balde is not McLeish's prime target for centre-half.

Standard Liege stopper Oguchi Onyewu is someone he has at the top of that list.

McLeish said at the Forum - which can be heard on Friday at 7pm on 1152am Gold - that he wants speed and mobility in the position, as well as know-how.

In essence, this is what he has in mind for his team: "We need players who can take the football, more quality" he said.

"I don't mind a couple of big gorillas at centre-half because that spine is so vital for us.

"So, with another quality midfielder, two, strong and mobile centre-halves, then I think we are getting there.

"If I can find that ultimate striker and the two Davids fancy it, then it's all systems go."

As we know, McLeish wants at least 10 new players through the door come the Premier League kick-off. He was talking in general terms above.

Ideally, he wants to make the squad more athletic and younger as well.

You could be forgiven for thinking that, after an interview that surfaced today, to primarily address the climax to the SPL season, he wants half the Rangers team.

Naturally, he gets asked by journalists north of the border about Kris Boyd, Madjid Bougherra, Barry Ferguson and so on. And Eck replies honestly. However, so often in these instances people still put two and two together and come up with five.

I can't see any of that trio heading to St Andrew's this summer as it stands now. McLeish has other players in mind and judging from the flurry of activity at Wast Hills during the past couple of weeks - it's been like an agents' convention - Blues seem quite a way down the road with a couple of transfers.

Footnote: Standard Liege drew 1-1 at Anderlecht on Thursday night, Oguchi Onyewu playing 90 minutes in front of the watching Alex McLeish.

There's a popular phrase 'big unit' to describe players who are, well, hulkingly big.

And if there was one who it applied to at Blues more than others, it was Radhi Jaidi.

At 6ft 4in tall and wide-bodied, Jaidi provided quite a barrier. Sure he wasn't dainty on his feet and teams always tried to run him down his side.

But when sharp and focused, he was a tough old bear and aerially, he was one of the most dominant centre-halves to wear the Blues shirt. It was if he had a breeze block stuck on his shoulders the way he used to thud balls away.

Jaidi's time at St Andrew's is over after the club decided not to take up the 12-month option on his contract.

It was partly due to cost, partly due to Alex McLeish wanting to freshen it up in the heart of defence.

I caught up with Jaidi on the telephone in Djerba, an island off the coast of his native Tunisia, where the big unit was getting in some big rays.

He was fairly philosophical about his axing although intriguingly didn't rule out returning on a reduced salary deal.

McLeish saw him as back-up for the Premier League, perhaps a decent replacement to come in as and when. But the desire to move on, to find the next Radhi Jaidi overrided any sentiment.

Two seasons ago, Jaidi and Martin Taylor formed the backbone of Blues promotion success.

Jaidi powering onto a corner to connect with the ball was a fearsome sight, and he chipped in with some vital goals that campaign.

In the Premier League, he didn't get much of sniff until the new year. His lack of speed and athleticism was too much of a risk for Steve Bruce.

Circumstance meant that he got an opportunity and, to his credit, during the stretch run he gave his all and produced some performances that merited man-of-the-match as Blues tried to stave off the drop.

The 'Jaidi Jumping Jive' designed at putting off goalkeepers at direct free-kicks always raised a smile, but was also highly effective.

This season, again he started down the grid but forced his way to the front and, although sometimes given a run around by eager strikers, he tended to impose his will on them in the end and come out on top in the personal duels.

Jaidi was a decent bloke, and always an engaging interviewee. His English turn of phrase was quirky but at the same time endearing.

His sentences tended to never end, he would pause, think of the right context, and then carry on earnestly making one point and then another.

He always used the word 'concentrate' a lot and it became a bit of a standing joke to guess how many times he would utter it when speaking to the press.

Off the field he admitted he tended to not do much else than sleep, which was perfectly in tune with his laid back personality.

I'd be surprised if there weren't a fair few clubs in the Championship ready to pitch in for Jaidi, a 'big unit' indeed.

Someone said to me the other day that Blues had no player in the PFA Championship team of the season, didn't win a manager of the month or a player of the month award.

But then they got promotion, so they must have done something right.

Fewest goals conceded, fewest losses. More points than Albion who won the title last season. Best record against the best teams.

That someone was Alex McLeish. Not that he was bitter - far from it - just a little miffed that Blues were always seemingly dismissed.

It was probably because they kept on doing what they had to do, they didn't have a startling purple patch.

Wolves won seven games in a row on two occasions early. That gave them the platform to go on and take the top spot, despite a spell of one win in 11 games.

And there was the perception that Blues couldn't string two passes together, unlike my friends at 14th-placed Doncaster Rovers, who were 25 points behind Blues. (let's not go there, eh, they'd only get the wrong end of the stick . . . ).

That said, Blues won the performance of the week for the 2-1 win at Reading. To be fair, it would have been hard not to have given them that one!

Peter Beagrie, Sky Sports Championship expert, often had a downer on Blues. But at least he has seen fit to name two players in his team of the season: Maik Taylor and Lee Carsley.

Predictably, he has been slated for choosing that pair.

Matthew Kilgallon got in, ahead of Liam Ridgewell, who has been an unsung hero in the league's best defence.

Ross McCormack, who snubbed Blues in the summer, was selected too. Take away his penalties, could he have done what Kevin Phillips did?

And if there were signings of the season, what about Stephen Carr and Keith Fahey for 'big spending Birmingham'?

Talking to Carsley this week for an exclusive Blues View interview, he was not happy that Blues didn't play the dashing football everyone wanted. But he was happy that promotion was achieved.

Now it's a case of taking another step forward said Carsley. And so far, from my conversations with McLeish and David Sullivan, there does seem to be a vigour and determination to get the right people in and, more importantly, harmony.

We will be hosting another live web chat on Friday at noon (GMT) to discuss all things Blues.

Do join me on www.birminghammail.net as there sure is plenty to get our teeth into following Blues promotion to the Premier League.

Got into a sort of argument before the Reading showdown with a well known face on satellite television, who happens to be a Blues fan.

"Well, if we do go up, we don't really deserve it," he said.

Excuse me, I replied, you finish where you deserve to finish over a 46-game season.

Why do people think there's always a rain cloud hovering over their and their team's head?

Speaking to Lee Carsley after the promotion-clinching victory, he said he was shocked by the pessimism and air of doom and gloom surrounding Blues after he signed, and this from a local.

It wasn't until he was right in the thick of it did he realise what the atmosphere was like.

So Blues didn't deserve it? Nonsense.

Everyone would have liked them to have scored 100 goals and stormed to the title. But it doesn't happen like that and only three teams in recent years - Sunderland (of Peter Reid, not Roy Keane), Fulham and Reading - have torn it up in the Championship.

Blues got up their way. It wasn't always pretty, in fact it was grim on some occasions, but they were effective and in terms of character and will, they had no peer.

Their success was relative to the league they were in this season. Finishing on 83 points, that was two more than Albion totted up in winning the title last year.

We tend to forget that Blues made their best ever start to a league season when they hit the top in October.

And they ended with the best record against the top-half clubs, and they were the defensive unit, despite various changes for various reasons.

Sheffield United might think they 'deserved' automatic promotion because of their late run (helped along the way by Lee Mason of course). They didn't because Blues, with all the pressure on them at Reading - all the pressure on them all season in fact - got the result.

Reading, the team everyone kept telling us were the best around after bashing both Wolves and Blues away, they 'deserved' it, didn't they? No.

Imagine if Blues had finished the season with five defeats, three draws and just three goals on their home ground in eight games, there would have been hell to pay.

Cardiff City might think they 'deserved' a play-off place after being in the mix for so long and missing out on the last day by just one goal. Tough.

Blues never dropped lower than third position and were only out of the top two for roughly seven weeks, on and off.

The fact that Blues won promotion by scoring the fewest number of goals - 54 - since the Championship started should not be ridiculed but grudgingly admired for it showed that the fundamentals in other departments were strong and constant. Blues were difficult to beat.

Take the Reading match. They lost concentration only once really, just after scoring, and conceded a goal.

Then, as the game boiled to a conclusion, they repelled everything that Reading threw at them. By the end, there were five up front for the Royals; it was never like this in Instanbul, was it, Djimi?!

The age and experience of Blues was often held against them. In fact, it counted for a great deal.

Dave Jones's comments after his Bluebirds blew up struck a chord. They had the opportunity to finish top a few weeks back due to the games in hand they had.

"Where we have fallen short is through a lack of experience and knowledge of how to deal with the situation we found ourselves in," he said.

"Maybe my players have been affected with nerves as well. Perhaps they didn't have the mental strength to see through a promotion campaign."

After the celebrations had died down at the Madejski Stadium, Alex McLeish was quite reflective when he spoke to the media.

He said this season had been 'an absolute ordeal'.

He revealed how much of a burden it was carrying the hopes of so many people and dealing with the demands, criticism, sniping and general 'always look on the dark side of life' attitude.

His comments about his future were also illuminating. He didn't like what he called 'car crash' management, he didn't like having to use the loan system and thinking short-term.

Where Blues go from here, and whether or not McLeish will be able to implement the 'infrastructure' he talked of is going to be decided over these next few fascinating summer months.