( AFP ) - James McFadden is set to be reunited with former Scotland boss Alex McLeish after Everton agreed an undisclosed fee to sell the winger to Birmingham.
McFadden, 24, was given permission to discuss personal terms with the Birmingham manager, who had identified the winger as his top priority in the January transfer window.
McFadden joined Everton from Motherwell in September 2003 but has never been a first-team regular at Goodison Park, despite emerging as the star of the Scotland side that beat France home and away during their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
McLeish said earlier this week that he would "pull out all the stops" to bring McFadden to St Andrews.
"He is someone who fancies his chances and has the bottle and the right mentality - and he definitely has the right sort of technique as well," McLeish said.
McFadden has scored 18 goals in 137 appearances for Everton in just over four years on Merseyside.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Portsmouth acquired the services of France midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal and sold Matt Taylor to Bolton, both for undisclosed fees.
Bolton boss Gary Megson said Taylor, who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at his new club, would be a valuable addition to his struggling squad.
"Matt is a quality player who is very versatile on the left-hand side," Megson said. "He is a proven Premier League performer who will bring additional quality to our squad.
"He has attracted interest from a number of clubs and I am delighted that we have managed to bring him to the Reebok Stadium."
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was equally pleased to have captured Diarra, 22, who joined the Gunners from Chelsea last summer but had grown frustrated over a lack of first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.
He will now aim to make a fresh start at Pompey, for whom he could make his debut in Saturday's Premier League match at home to Derby.
"He's a fantastic midfield player," Redknapp said. "In my opinion he's already one of the best midfield players in the Premier League and has the ability to be one of the best there is.
"He's strong, powerful, quick and can pass the ball. You don't play for France for the last nine or 10 games unless you're top quality.
"I'm delighted he has decided to sign for us rather than a host of other clubs. It's great news for Portsmouth Football Club."
Fulham meanwhile look set to secure the services of Marlon King after agreeing to pay five million pounds to Watford for the former Jamaica striker.
If King can agree personal terms, Liberian-born Dutch forward Collins John will move in the opposite direction on loan.
Another loan deal saw Wigan take Honduras left-back Maynor Figueroa from Deportivo Olimpia until the end of the season.
Wigan boss Steve Bruce told the club's website, www.wiganlatics.co.uk: "He's strong, he's quick, he has a superb left foot and I think he has the attributes to adapt to the English game.
"He's shown his desire to be with us by being away from his family all over Christmas and has shown plenty of potential in training."