Everton will have to make a decision today if they want to up their bid for Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage, pictured, according to Blues managing director Karren Brady.

Yesterday's offer for Savage was branded "laughable and derisory" by Birmingham and Brady warned Everton they had 24 hours to up their bid.

Everton's offer for Savage was believed to be £2.5m but the deal involves a down payment of £1m with the rest of the fee spread over the next four years.

Following the bid, Birmingham released a statement which read: "Birmingham City's managing director Karren Brady has told Everton in no uncertain terms of our club's valuation of the player and they have 24 hours to make up their minds."

Welsh international Savage, 29, signed for Birmingham in May 2002 for £1.25m after five years at Leicester and won many plaudits as Steve Bruce's side consolidated themselves in the Premiership.

Birmingham confirmed they may not leave the offer of a new four-year contract to Savage on the table for much longer but nevertheless would not let the player leave cheaply.

Manager Bruce said: "Everton have been after Robbie Savage for a year but this is the first written offer. It is so derisory.

"We don't want to lose him or let him go but everyone has their price.

"We shook hands on a deal with Robbie six to eight weeks ago.

"Everton know the figure (transfer fee) we want. What use to me is a fee spread over four years?"

City owner David Sullivan has suggested £3.5m might be enough to secure Savage's services.