Birmingham City face Sunderland transfer battle for 'best goalkeeper in the EFL'

Birmingham City face competition from a Championship rival to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle.

Tickle was linked with a move to St Andrew’s back in January along with Monday's opponents Preston North End Blues were in the market for a goalkeeper after releasing Zach Jeacock, leaving them with just two senior options.

Birmingham first and foremost will want to focus on securing their Championship status for another season but should they do then they face competition to sign one of their targets. 

It has been reported by The Sun's EFL reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon that Sunderland will consider signing Tickle should Anthony Patterson depart the Stadium of Light in the summer. The Black Cats are 'checking in' on Tickle who has 13 clean sheets for the Latics this term. 

Wigan do not need to part ways with Tickle however as he is under contract at the DW Stadium until at least 2026. It allows the League One outfit to demand a fee that they deem acceptable. 

Former Aston Villa midfielder Shaun Maloney is in charge at Wigan and back in January, he made a bold claim. Maloney believes that Tickle is 'probably' the best goalkeeper outside of the Premier League.

Speaking to sister website Wigan Today: “This is only my opinion, but I don't think there's a better goalkeeper in our league...I'm not sure there's a better goalkeeper in the league above...he's that good! He can get even better with his feet, but shot-stopping... I haven't seen too many as good as that - when he just produces outstanding moments like he does that win games."

Goalkeeper is an area of concern given both John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge are out of contract. Ruddy has been first choice under John Eustace, Wayne Rooney, Tony Mowbray and now Gary Rowett.

Etheridge has been limited to just five appearances this term. The 34-year-old played two Championship games back in early February but for most of the campaign he's been an understudy to Ruddy. 

A move for England youth international James Beadle was mooted but he instead headed to relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The 19-year-old has since kept five clean sheets in 13 games but the Owls are in the relegation zone. He is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, having had his loan at Oxford United cut short, and before he arrived at Hillsborough, he signed a contract with the Sussex outfit until the summer of 2028.