The tabloid newspaper claims that Blues boss Steve Bruce is interested once again in bringing the former Manchester United and England midfielder to St Andrew's having failed in his bid to sign the player 18 months ago. "He tried to get him when he was still at Manchester United and was disappointed when he eventually went to Newcastle. "But now it looks very close to happening and it looks as if Butt would be pleased to come to St Andrews."
Blues looked close to securing a deal for Butt during the 2004 January transfer window but he decided to remain at Old Trafford before eventually joining Newcastle.
"It is no secret that Steve Bruce has been a big admirer of Nicky Butt for a long time," a source told the Mirror.
Bruce is desperate to sign a central midfielder to fill the void left by Robbie Savages move to Blackburn earlier this year and has already failed with a bid to bring Butt's Newcastle team-mate Lee Bowyer to St Andrew's.