Birmingham City first team coach Peter Grant insists any marquee signing will have to buy into the club's work ethic as they step up their interest in Tottenham's Robbie Keane.
Blues are hoping to sign the £7million-rated Keane as manager Alex McLeish looks to bring in a quality striker during the January transfer window.
Manchester City's Jo is also on McLeish's radar with the player never having established himself at Eastlands after his £18million move from CSKA Moscow.
But, while recognising the need to bring in proven talent, Grant also stressed that City will never abandon the traits that have become their trademark.
Grant said: "It is important new players don't upset the formula. The manager does that (checks out) every player he signs, even the likes of Alexander Hleb.
"You need players to open the door for you and Alex has got that in his locker.
"Keane is a similar type of player in the respect he has got something different to what we have in the squad and that is what the manager is trying to do.
"But even with bringing someone like that to the club....everything is based on work ethic."
Grant added: "The manager will never lose sight of the fact of what his team is built and based on.
"You saw that the other evening at Blackpool. They go right to the last minute. They will never lose that identity and I think that is very important for this club.
"The gaffer will never get away from what this team has been built on - hard work and determination."
Grant insists there is plenty of work to be done if they are to sign Keane.
He said: "Alex (McLeish) has inquired about him, that is open knowledge, as he has done so about a lot of players.
"The manager would love a talent like Robbie Keane to come to Birmingham but there are a lot of clubs looking at him.
"I think there are a lot of bridges to be crossed yet.
"We are definitely in the mix and there is definite interest but it is a million miles short of getting to the having medicals stage."
Jo has had loan spells at Everton and Galatasaray during the past two seasons. He started Wednesday night's game at Arsenal but the expected arrival of Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg could make him surplus to requirements.
