Birmingham hope to make Celtic star Chris Sutton their first signing of the January transfer window - but must see off Everton and Portsmouth. The 32-year-old is understood to be close to agreeing a short-term contract with the Premiership strugglers until the end of the current campaign - but his agent Tony McGill has admitted he is talking to a number of clubs interested in his services. Sutton's contract expires in the summer so he can open negotiations with other clubs as he is in the last six months of his Celtic deal. McGill said: "Chris has a right to speak to other clubs and I'm travelling round speaking to interested clubs at the moment. "I'm just doing my job and if a club calls me then I will hear what they have to say. "I won't say which clubs are in the frame but there are more than two clubs interested and they are all in the Premiership. "They are a mixture of top clubs, middle-ranking clubs and others. "I really don't know what will happen at the moment, there has nothing been decided either way. "Chris could sign a pre-contract at one club and play out the rest of his contract at Celtic. "That's within the FIFA rules and we haven't ruled that possibility out. "But you never know what can happen, things change so quickly in football." Celtic paid Chelsea £6m for Sutton's services in the summer of 2000 but at best are likely to recoup only a nominal fee if the player makes the switch to St Andrews. Sutton, also on Pompey's and the Toffees' wanted list, has averaged a goal every other match during his career north of the border but has made only seven appearances during an injury-hit season. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan does not want to lose the services of the former Blackburn player who won a Premiership winners medal at Ewood Park 11 years ago. But he is aware of Sutton's contract situation so has little room for manoevre. Blues manager Steve Bruce is desperate to add extra firepower to his attack with Walter Pandiani and Mikael Forssell having managed just two Premiership goals between them in the first half of the season. Sutton has a proven track record and also has the added bonus of being able to play at centre-half, which would provide cover for Matthew Upson, Kenny Cunningham and Martin Taylor. The arrival of Sutton could open the exit door for Pandiani, who has been a target for Espanyol although an initial bid of £1m was rejected. Bruce has insisted Pandiani will only be allowed to leave if he can bring in one or two strikers. The Birmingham chief has made a habit of freshening up his squad to good effect in the January window. In 2003 he brought in Christophe Dugarry, Upson, Stephen Clemence and Jamie Clapham as City successfully held onto their top-flight status. Twelve months ago he signed Jermaine Pennant, Pandiani and Mehdi Nafti on loan to telling effect with all three going on to secure permanent deals last summer.