BLUES will have to pull out all the stops if they are to convince Fulham's Collins John to join them.
The Cottagers have accepted a £3million offer, which could rise to £4million, and now Blues have to persuade the Dutch striker to drop a division into the Championship.
The highly-rated 20-year-old is reluctant to leave the top flight as he believes it will harm his international career. Yet Bruce and Blues have proven themselves to be highly persuasive in the past, and if they want a player badly, that is often reflected in the wage packet on offer.
And, by showing their willingness to shell out up to £4million, that straightaway sends out the right message to the Liberian-born flier.
John top-scored with 12 goals for Fulham last season but has yet to nail down a regular place in the team.
Blues would make him a first choice alongside £3million Cameron Jerome and give him a platform to take his game - and his profile - to another level.
But Fulham's decision to sell could now bring clubs from the Premiership into the fray.