New Birmingham City head coach Wayne Rooney has already brought a high-profile interest surrounding matters at St Andrew’s since his arrival on October 11th.
After replacing John Eustace in the midst of the October international break, speculation has already begun regarding how the Manchester United and England legend will want his Blues side to take shape with the January transfer window in the not too distant future.
Whilst Rooney was getting to grips with his latest squad prior to his debut defeat, thanks to Morgan Rogers’ solitary goal at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon – outside noise saw the Blues linked with a former goalkeeper who left the club a decade ago.
Jack Butland linked with Birmingham City
Butland, a product of the Wast Hills conveyor belt, began his professional career with Blues way back in 2010 after being named the club’s Young Player of the Year, but didn’t make his first appearance for the club until Lee Clark’s first game in charge against Charlton Athletic in 2012.
After being an ever-present for the club that season, Butland has gone on to establish himself as a reliable Premier League and Championship keeper, most notably for Stoke City between 2013 and 2020. However, since leaving the Potteries he found game time hard to come by despite being on the books of Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
But, since joining Rangers in the summer on a free transfer, the 30-year-old has returned to being a first-choice goalkeeper for the Light Blues. So far he has made 17 appearances in all competitions and kept eight clean sheets in the process.
Amid the speculation that Rooney was keen on bringing Butland back to the West Midlands, it has since been revealed by Football Insider that the SPFL club have placed a minimum valuation of £5m on the 9-time England international.
What has Carlton Palmer said about Birmingham City’s links with Jack Butland?
Speaking exclusively to FLW, pundit Carlton Palmer believes that the price tag and salary Butland would demand could put them off any potential deal.
Glasgow Rangers have stated they would want in excess of £5m for their experienced goalkeeper, Jack Butland.
“Butland is now 30, and £5m would be a substantial fee to pay in any event for a player of his age, and i’m quite sure Birmingham City cannot afford the fee and his salary.” Palmer continued
“I can see why Rangers have put that fee on his head, as he’s been in fine form for them. After signing on a free, Jack is enjoying a new lease of life and is under contract until 2027.”
Do Birmingham City need Jack Butland?
The Blues already have two experienced goalkeepers in their ranks at present anyway, in the form of John Ruddy and his deputy Neil Etheridge.
Both of these players, like Butland have many years of experience in the Championship or higher, but it feels slightly unneccessary that Rooney would invest such a hefty fee for a player the club don’t neccessarily need just yet, and even then it could make more sense to sign a younger goalkeeper at the end of the season.
