Birmingham City transfer approach confirmed for nine-cap international and latest update provided | OneFootball

Championship side Birmingham City have enquired about a potential move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland this summer but it’s unlikely a move will materialise this summer, as per Birmingham Live.

The 29-year-old spent much of last season on the bench at Selhurst Park, making nine Premier League appearances and 15 in all competitions as he struggled to assert himself as Patrick Vieira’s number one in the English capital.

It was previously reported that the Eagles were closing in on West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone ahead of the expiration of his current deal at The Hawthorns, potentially pushing Butland further down the pecking order.

Quiz: Can you name which club these 27 ex-Birmingham City players are playing for now?

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Cameron Jerome?

Burnley Luton Town Norwich City Watford

With this, it was no surprise to many that he was linked with a move away with AFC Bournemouth and Rangers both believed to have been interested in luring him away from London, with the former in need of a new shot-stopper following Freddie Woodman’s return to Newcastle United.

The Palace man was then linked with a surprising move to Birmingham at the end of last week by Alan Nixon, with Lee Bowyer’s side on the search for a new shot-stopper after seeing Matija Sarkic impress in Neil Etheridge’s absence last season.

a loan move is more likely than a permanent transfer at this stage and even the former is seen as ambitious, potentially dampening many supporters’ hopes of landing the nine-cap England international.

The Verdict:

This potential addition would be a real coup at this level because of Butland’s pedigree – and he would have been a brilliant competitor for Etheridge in the goalkeeping department as the West Midlands side look to improve their defensive record.

Following the departure of Connal Trueman, another player is needed in this area even with the presence of Zach Jeacock, with the latter potentially benefitting from another loan deal and the arrival of a new man could give him the opportunity to ply his trade elsewhere for now.

Sarkic was a magnificent addition and a real difference-maker for the Blues, so it’s no surprise to see them in the market for a new shot-stopper not to provide backup for Etheridge, but someone who can take the Thailand international’s starting spot.

Their goalkeeping department isn’t the main problem though – because they already needed major surgery in their central defence area even before the departures of Kristian Pedersen and Teden Mengi, with the former departing St Andrew’s on the expiration of his contract.

They need to focus on this position before they look to add a starting goalkeeper, so Butland should potentially be far down their target list at this stage with the new season coming down the tracks quickly.