Blackburn have seen an improved offer for Robbie Savage rejected as they continue in their chase for the Welsh International.

Birmingham are believed to want in the region of £3.5million for the midfielder, who signed a new four-year contract in the summer and they today rejected a "marginally improved offer."

Savage has cited personal reasons for his desire to move to Blackburn, to be closer to his ill parents who live in Wrexham, a reason Birmingham Managing Director Karen Brady is refusing to accept:

Brady said: "We are all surprised and disappointed by the news of Robbie's transfer request, especially as it seems like he wants to swap Birmingham City for Blackburn Rovers, which I cannot understand.

"If Robbie has come to that decision because of the distance between Blackburn and Wrexham he should take a closer look at his map as it works out at about the same distance as it is from Birmingham, if not a little further.

"I have this morning received a marginally improved offer from Blackburn managing director John Williams. It remains totally unacceptable to us and therefore the player will not be moving to Blackburn."

The Club issues a statement regarding the future of the 30-year-old after he put in a written transfer request, it said:

"The request comes less than three months after Robbie signed a new four-year contract on improved terms.

"The club fully sympathises with Robbie's documented personal problems and understands the strain of driving up and down the motorway to visit relatives in North Wales.

"Birmingham City have therefore offered to provide a car and driver to chauffeur Robbie to and from Wrexham at the club's own expense.

"However, Birmingham City feels that it is being backed into a corner and will not under any circumstances be bullied into making decisions which are detrimental to either the team or the club as a whole.

"The club hopes that Robbie will maintain his professional attitude on the pitch and that he continues to perform with the same determination and vigour he has shown over the past two and a half years at St Andrews."