Birmingham City interest in Wigan Athletic man may now have to be halted: View | OneFootball

Birmingham City were linked with a move for Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle during the January transfer window, as they looked to bolster their squad to boost their survival efforts.

Alan Nixon posted on Patreon that the Blues were interested in Tickle's services alongside fellow Championship outfit Preston North End, but the latest progression in the young keeper's promising career could mean that he is beyond the reach of clubs in the second tier once the summer transfer window opens.

Tickle has been producing solid performances for Wigan all season, and has kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in League One, a tally bettered only by five other goalkeepers in the third tier - including Will Norris who plys his trade for top of the table Portsmouth.

But at just 21 years of age, the Latics shot-stopper has really caught the eye this season, hence his consistent inclusion in Lee Carsley's England under-21 squad

Tickle's debut for the England Under-21s will increase Premier League interest

On Tuesday night, Tickle made his debut for Carsley's Young Lions due to the fact that usual first choice James Trafford was promoted to the senior squad following an injury suffered by Sam Johnstone.

The Latics shot-stopper kept a clean sheet as England thrashed Luxembourg 7-0 at Bolton Wanderers' Toughsheet Community Stadium, as Noni Madueke, Samuel Iling-Junior and Morgan Rogers all bagged two goals for their nation, while Jamie Bynoe-Gittens also found the back of the net.

As per stats from FotMob, Tickle didn't have the busiest of evenings as Luxembourg registered just one shot on target, but keeping a clean sheet on debut for the nation's under-21 side is no easy feat.

Simply being in the same starting 11 as Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah, as well as Chelsea's Madueke will have increased the profile of Tickle.

The Athletic reported on January 10 - just two days after Tickle performed well for the Latics in the FA Cup third round against Premier League giants Manchester United - that fellow top-flight outfit Everton were interested in capturing the starlet.

That cup clash with the Red Devils offered the 21-year-old more exposure than his usual League One outings, and ultimately Premier League clubs have started to watch Tickle a bit more, while his debut for Carsley's side will likely have the same effect, - especially as he kept a clean sheet.

The increasing calibre of Tickle, who continues to impress week in week out for the Latics, and now has an international under-21 cap to his name, could mean that Birmingham are unable to secure his signature in the summer.

Sam Tickle's England under-21 cap is not good news for Birmingham City

The Blues find themselves in a relegation battle, and are only above the relegation zone on goal difference, having failed to win since 17th February.

A Good Friday clash with QPR, who are just one point above the Midlands outfit, is the absolute epitome of a relegation six-pointer, and could prove key in deciding their fate.

But, should the Blues secure their Championship status, Tickle is exactly the sort of promising goalkeeper they would like to bring to St. Andrew's.

The current first choice John Ruddy is 37 years old now, and has managed just seven clean sheets in 36 Championship outings, which is far from ideal.

However, even if Tony Mowbray's men do steer themselves clear of the drop zone, they may be unable to sign Tickle due to the likelihood of Premier League interest now he is an England international.

Should other top flight clubs join Everton in the race for Tickle, then Birmingham could be priced out of a move by Premier League clubs who are able to offer higher transfer fees.