Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is reportedly keen on luring Sevilla hitman Arouna Kone and Real Betis' midfielder Achille Emana to St Andrews in the January transfer window.

The Scot has been given a £40million transfer war chest by new Blues owner Carson Yeung in order to bolster his squad in the New Year and has already been linked with a host of names.

McLeish has already ruled out moves for Wolfsburg's attacking duo Edin Dzeko and Grafite, while Hoffenheim trio Chinedu Obasi, Demba Ba and Vedad Ibisevic have been deemed too pricey for the former Rangers boss.

However, according to the Daily Mail McLeish has now set his sights firmly on Sevilla's out of favour striker Kone, who is keen on a move away from the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan in order to secure more first-team football.

The 25-year-old, who joined Los Rojiblancos in a £8million deal from PSV Eindhoven in 2007, is currently behind Luis Fabiano, Fredi Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo in the pecking order.

A move to the Premier League with Birmingham would appeal as it would boost his chances of making Ivory Coast's World Cup squad for next year's finals in South Africa.

Meanwhile, McLeish is also keen to sign Emana, 27, from Segunda Division side Real Betis to add some steel to his midfield engine room.

The Cameroon international has made no secret of his desire to leave the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera following Los Verdiblanco's relegation from La Liga last season and has been linked with Everton and Blackburn.