Birmingham manager McLeish has confirmed QPR's interest in signing out of favour Martin Taylor as he tries to keep hold of another central defender in Johan Djourou.
Taylor has slipped well down the pecking order at Blues and has just returned from a month's loan at Norwich.
McLeish has said the former Blackburn player, who signed a new three-year contract in May, can leave if the right offer is received and a move to Loftus Road could be imminent. And Rangers have money available after their recent takeover by Formula One motor racing supremos Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
McLeish said: "QPR are in the hunt for Martin and they are in negotiations with (managing director) Karren Brady. There are one or two interested in Martin and he is weighing those up."
Djourou is on loan until next month from Arsenal but McLeish will step up his attempts to keep the Swiss player until the end of the season by making further contact with Arsene Wenger.
He said: "I'll ask Arsene again if he is going to allow Johan to stay. I've still not heard from Arsene but I will make contact again. It is time for me to ask because Djourou will be looking to get something sorted out as well."
McLeish has insisted he will not necessarily be signing Scottish players when strengthening his squad in January despite being linked with Kris Boyd (Rangers) and James McFadden (Everton).
He said: "Will I be signing Scottish players? I wouldn't necessarily say that. I want to bring in players who are going to enhance the squad. It doesn't mean they will be Scottish players.
"There is a lot of speculation. I can't avoid that. I don't want to commit myself. We will try and make it club policy that we neither confirm or deny until a deal is done."
