Birmingham City 'line up' transfer approach for son of Middlesbrough legend

Birmingham City are reportedly interested in signing Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears on a permanent transfer in the summer window.

The 25-year-old, who worked with Blues manager Tony Mowbray and assistant Mark Venus at Ewood Park, has played 16 times for Blackburn in the Championship this season. Pears has conceded 26 goals and kept two clean sheets in those appearances, with Rovers down in 16th.

Birmingham are in the market for a goalkeeper as the two current stoppers, John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, are out of contract in June and neither are expected to renew. It's reported by The Sun that Pears, the son of Middlesbrough legend Stephen Pears, has been listed as a key target.

Glasgow Rangers 'keeper Jack Butland is another to have been linked over recent months but speculation has quietened, while Blues are understood to be tracking Brighton & Hove Albion youngster James Beadle, who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

Pears is the most solid link at the moment, though. The Englishman, born in Durham, has made 53 saves in the Championship this campaign. He tends to come off his line often, likes to punch the ball and has strong reflexes. Long passing is a weak point, however.