‘Substantial’ transfer fee for Birmingham City to sign ‘consummate professional’ has been revealed

Birmingham City have been linked with a move for goalkeeper Jack Butland as Wayne Rooney looks to pad out his new squad. However, there are concerns over the price tag Rangers have slapped on their summer signing.

Last week, Football Insider revealed that the Scottish Premiership side are not willing to listen to any offers for Butland that may come their way in January. The Gers brought him to Ibrox in July on a free transfer after his contract with Crystal Palace expired. Butland signed a four-year deal and has slotted straight in as the Gers No.1, not missing a minute of action with his new club so far.

Amid Birmingham’s interest, a follow-up report from Football Insider has revealed how much Rangers value their shot-stopper. A ‘private valuation’ of more than £5 million is said to be where the Gers are at, which could be too far out of price range for the Blues.

Carlton Palmer recently weighed in on Butland’s price tag and while he understands why the Glasgow side have come up with such a fee, he doesn’t believe Birmingham have the means to meet the demand.

“Butland is now 30, and £5 million would be a substantial fee to pay in any event for a player of his age. I’m quite sure Birmingham City cannot afford the fee and his salary,” the former West Brom and Leeds United man told Football League World.

Butland is a well-thought of player who has received his fair share of praise over the years. Patrick Vieira described him as a ‘consummate professional’ during the time he spent with him at Palace.

Rooney joined St Andrew’s earlier this month and the Blues are looking to climb the Championship table, having banked 18 points from 12 games so far this season. The West Midlands side has been linked to potentially signing Butland but the Blues already have two experienced shot-stoppers on the roster in the form of Neil Etheridge and John Ruddy. It’s likely, for more reasons than one, that Birmingham will need to shop elsewhere if they want to add another goalkeeper to the roster.