"Brilliant business" - Pundit reacts as Blackburn Rovers plot Birmingham City raid | OneFootball

Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy has been linked with a reunion with former boss John Eustace at Blackburn Rovers, according to The Sun.

The 37-year-old England international is out of contract at St Andrew's in the summer, and there has been no sign of a new deal for the ex-Wolves man yet.

This has led to apparent transfer interest from his former boss, John Eustace, who was the one who brought him to St Andrew's in the summer of 2022, and he went onto win the Players' Player of the Season award for the 2022/23 season.

Eustace is clearly a big fan of the 37-year-old, and despite his age, he seems keen to bring him to Ewood Park this summer.

Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that John Ruddy could be a very good signing for Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer.

Palmer also believes that Ruddy's experience and personality would be invaluable to the Rovers' dressing room, and that he could make a big impact at Ewood Park.

Palmer told Football League World, “Blackburn Rovers are set to be interested in bringing Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy to the club in the summer.

“Blackburn’s new manager, John Eustace, was manager of Birmingham City, and it’s believed that he wants to bring a more experienced player to the club.

“Ruddy has been instrumental for Birmingham since Eustace was appointed in the summer of 2022, and he’s played 86 games, only missing a few in February through injury.

“He’s out of contract in the summer and Eustace wants to reunite with his former player this summer."

Despite Ruddy turning 38 at the beginning of the next season, Palmer believes that his age is no issue and that, as long as he's performing, it doesn't matter how old he is.

“At the end of the day, 37 is not old for a goalkeeper, he’s a very experienced player, and he’s available for free, so that’s good business for Blackburn Rovers," explained Palmer.

“He’s experienced, great in the dressing room, and he’s a good lad and those are the types of players that you need to help the club progress, so this would be brilliant business for both Blackburn and John Eustace.

“It’s up to Birmingham City to make him an offer that will make him want to stay.

"At the age of 37, you want to play regularly and before putting pen to paper he’ll want to know that he’ll be number one goalkeeper at Birmingham City.

“If they can’t guarantee him that and John Eustace can, then the rest will be history.”

John Ruddy would be a great signing for Blackburn Rovers

Despite his age, Ruddy is still going strong as a first choice goalkeeper in the Championship, and the leadership and experience he'd bring to the dressing room is invaluable.

He's made 86 appearances in all competitions for Birmingham City since signing in the summer of 2022, so he's clearly still able to play every week.

Blackburn Rovers' goalkeeping duties have been split between Aynsley Pears and Leopald Wahlstedt this season, and neither player has been able to nail down a regular starting berth.

Both players are still young for goalkeeper standards (25 and 24), so someone of Ruddy's calibre would help to steady the ship at Ewood Park, and he could pass on his vast knowledge to younger players at the club.