Loan ranger Forssell is looking for secure home

Mikael Forssell is set to reject the chance for another season on loan at Birmingham because he wants his long-term future sorted out.

That could prompt a £5million bid from Newcastle for the striker, who is under contract at Chelsea for three more years.

Forssell has been has been in great form at St Andrews this season and Steve Bruce wants him for another year-long loan.

But Forssell wants a more permanent arrangement and will not decide anything until Chelsea's managerial situation is resolved.

If Claudio Ranieri stays, he will seek talks to discover if he figures in the Italian's first-team plans. If Ranieri goes, Forssell will talk with his successor.

Either way, Forssell wants regular first-team football and that will alert Newcastle. Sir Bobby Robson is looking for a successor to Alan Shearer who will retire at the end of next season.

With another loan now out of the question, Bruce will have to ask his board to finance a bid.

But the guarantee of European football with Newcastle could well be the clinching factor when Forssell decides where he will be playing next season.