Blues offer new deals to star duo; Deals for Blues duo in offing.

Byline: Colin Tattum

BLUES are keen to tie Cameron Jerome and Sebastian Larsson down to new contracts.

Five-year deals are in the pipeline for both, with Larsson's offer remaining on the table since a year ago.

It had been reported that Jerome has signed a new pounds 18,000-a-week contract, but that's not so.

Negotiations are continuing with the striker and winger Larsson has vowed to make a decision on his long-term future once the summer break has finished.

Co-owner David Sullivan confirmed: "We want to give them new contracts and hopeful agreements will be reached.

"Both of them have big contributions to make for us next season. Cameron Jerome in particular could make a big impact." Sullivan stressed that there was no panic if neither agreement came to pass immediately. Jerome's present contract runs out in 2010, but Blues hold a subsequent two-year option.

And Larsson's contract also expires at the end of next season, with Blues having a 12-month option on top of that.

"If they don't want to take new deals, then good luck to them.

We've got them both for three and two years respectively anyway," said Sullivan.

Jerome and his representatives have been talking to Blues for some time, but negotiations have not really reached the nitty-gritty.

Larsson was offered a new five-year contract after Blues were relegated from the Premier League. Blues made it clear to him and fellow star asset JamesMcFadden they would not be sold as Alex McLeish wanted them to spearhead the team's Championship promotion challenge.

After Fabrice Muamba's pounds 5.75 million sale to Bolton Wanderers and Olivier Kapo's pounds 3.25 million exit to Wigan Athletic, the financial pressure on Blues to sell more players was eased. Newcastle United were supposedly interested in Larsson, but Blues insisted they had no bids for the Swedish international. Larsson left the contract unsigned and took several weeks to come to termswith the fact he had to slog through another campaign in the second tier of English football.

A lot of his public statements on his future, especially when he returned home for national duty, were misconstrued. The only thing Larsson said with any certainty all along was that he wanted to play Premier League football and hopefully it would be with Blues. Now he has got that wish again he seems much happier and stated recently he would address the contractual issue before the new season got under way. Certainly, Larsson celebrated Blues' promotionclinching win at Reading with gusto and pride, he didn't come across as someone who was determined to seek pastures new. Meanwhile, the transfers of Joe Hart, on loan from Manchester City, and Geovanny Espinoza are set to be announced in the next 48 hours.

Hart's signing was concluded late on Friday while Espinoza is thought to be in Birmingham wrapping up his$600,000(aboutpounds 385,000) move from Ecuadorian side Barcelona Sporting Club.

CAPTION(S):

Offer: Cameron Jerome.