The British agent of Ecuador striker Christian Benitez believes his client is as good a player as Barcelona`s Lionel Messi or his Argentina team-mate Carlos Tevez.
Birmingham have reportedly made an offer of around £9million for the 23-year-old forward, who currently plays for Mexican side Santos Laguna.
Benitez`s representative Barry McIntosh told the Birmingham Mail: "He is as good as Messi and Tevez. It's just the fact that he's from Ecuador and his nationality overshadows just how good he actually he is.
"He's far more experienced than Mauro Zarate was when he came to England and he's got good feet, is skilful and is good in the air.
"I think we would be talking about £30million to £40million if he was Argentinian or Brazilian. He is better than Antonio Valencia and the equivalent of Messi."
Comment 1 - 16 of 16
He's no Messi, lol, but he's a damn good signing. As in a really good signing, and to be honest it suprises me nobody has actually signed him before this. Imo, this could go absolutely catastrophically, or brilliantly, resulting in him moving to a bigger club. I dont think theres any inbetween for this, he's a big strong player, very skilful aswell, he definetely has the potential to do well...at a club bigger than Birmingham. I hope he succeeds, otherwise its back to Equador.....but he's no Messi, lol
McIntosh as well as his ''messi''should be tested for the pig virus or whatever cos he is not 100% up there
Remember Villa spent 9 million on a Colombian a few years ago and John Gregory had,nt seen him play!!! He was 4 foot 9 and centre forward with homesickness after seeing the Rag Market in New St ,with a flat in Small Heath......he did,nt stay too long!!!! Nor will the new Messi from Ecuador either,unless Ms. Brady shows him some of her home video,s with the dog in the boardroom.........Every dog has it,s day,Karen,eh"?
This is one of the boldest statements I have ever heard.
No offence to Birmingham, but if he was even near the quality of Messi, a bigger club would have him by now, even if he is Ecuadorian.
All I can see is him playing horribly and this sad little agent losing his job.
messi....haha....
yes finally blues are actually spending their money instead of being tight like last season when they only signed free transfers or buting players for less then £1 million. Next to sign will be joe hart.
Thank you for showing faith in Alex Mcleish to the board of BCFC, just 9 MORE to purchase and we'll be playing in Europe next season. KRO......
comment #2 zimbabwe dollars if you must know
Yes, he is a good player, but to say that he is as good as Messi, is OVERRATED.
Yea I'm from Ecuador so I've seen Benitez for about 6 years now. You're getting a hell of a player. He dances around the central defenders, is very quick and can really really jump. He's no Messi, but he is a great player
If they get a big signing all the Brummie Burglars will have a field day on saturday,plus the lead will go from the roofing and the pipes will be nicked from the undersoil pitch heating.....up the Blues
The fee is £6m
£9 million?
We are trying to buy a player for £9 million?
Some one shake me please, it must be a dream.
Or is it just another ticket selling scheme?
Is this a real offer by Gold?
Are the board really splashing out? Thats bold.
Are Blues turning up the heat?
Or leaving us feeling cold?
Time will tell, Tickets will sell.
I still have a feelin,' I maybe dreamin'
The summer will pass, and in a while
Its back to St. Andrews, $hit on the vile.
KRO
HAHA what are these guys smoking thinking he's even close to the skill of messi
Birmingahm bid of 9 million, what was the currency?
come on the Blues :)) just sign this guy ,,,, we need a new hero at st andrews ,,,,,,,
show us your intentions buy big named players at least 5 to start with ,, please please please
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