Latest Rangers demand must have made up Birmingham City's mind on transfer: Opinion | OneFootball

Having replaced John Eustace over the international break, Wayne Rooney's first match in charge of Birmingham City ended in defeat.

Facing up against former Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough, Rooney's side were defeated 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

In fairness to Rooney, this is a team that he has inherited from Eustace, and is not a squad compiled of his own players, and with that in mind, over the next month or two, until he can bring in players that he wants, he may be given the benefit of the doubt by some.

Of course, we already know one player that the Blues boss is reportedly targeting - Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Birmingham City want to sign Jack Butland

That is according to a report from The Sun when Wayne Rooney took over the role at St. Andrews.

Indeed, their report claims that Rooney is keen to sign a new first-choice goalkeeper at the club, with Butland at the very top of his wish list.

Their report claims that with the man who convinced Butland to head north of the border, Michael Beale, having been sacked, Butland is left pondering his future.

Rangers' stance on Jack Butland sale emerges

As keen as Birmingham City and Rooney may be, though, it does not appear that Rangers are willing to play ball when it comes to a potential deal.

Indeed, according to Football Insider, the Scottish giants internally value Jack Butland at more than £5 million heading into the January transfer window amid interest from Birmingham City.

This seems like a clear 'hands off' valuation, with Rangers having only signed Butland for free just a few months ago.

Worryingly for the Blues, the Football Insider report claims that Rangers' valuation of their goalkeeper could rise further yet if his performances for the club remain at a high level.

Rangers' transfer stance must have made up Birmingham City's mind

With the above stance arguably only going to get bigger, Rangers have made their stance very clear when it comes to Butland, and we would argue that it has likely made up Birmingham City's mind when it comes to any potential transfer.

However much Rooney and Birmingham City admire the 30-year-old, a club of their stature to pay £5 million or more for a goalkeeper at this time would make absolutely no sense.

This is even more so the case when you consider a recent report which suggests that the club will have to move out big earners in Neil Etheridge, Scott Hogan and Ivan Sunjic before having a 'proper go' at transfers, as it was put by Alan Nixon via Patreon.