“All Birmingham can do…” – Carlton Palmer makes Jack Butland transfer claim as Wayne Rooney faces dilemma
Butland is believed to be a top target of Wayne Rooney’s, but Rangers may have handed the Blues a blow in their pursuit
This weekend will mark the beginning of the Wayne Rooney era at Birmingham City as the legendary England star gets ready for his first game as the Blues’ manager.
Controversially appointed last week to replace John Eustace in the dugout at St. Andrew’s, Rooney’s reign will begin with a trip to face one of his former Man United team-mates Michael Carrick and his Middlesbrough side, in what will be the first look at how the 37-year-old will line up the City squad.
| Championship Table (As it stands w/c October 9th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester City | 11 | 17 | 30 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town | 11 | 12 | 28 |
| 3 | Preston North End | 11 | -2 | 20 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 11 | 8 | 19 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 11 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 | Birmingham City | 11 | 4 | 18 |
| 7 | Norwich City | 11 | 2 | 17 |
| 8 | Cardiff City | 11 | 2 | 17 |
Rooney’s shortlist for potential new players will no doubt be growing as he analyses his current crop of players, and one individual that has reportedly become an early target is Jack Butland.
The Sun reported last weekend
that Rooney wanted a new goalkeeper as a successor to veteran John Ruddy, and Butland was at the top of his list, more than 10 years after he left City for Stoke.
Butland is currently plying his trade north of the border having signed for Rangers in the summer, but interest from his former club could be a real head-turner, especially with their new high-profile ownership that includes NFL superstar Tom Brady.
What is the latest on Jack Butland’s Rangers situation amid Birmingham interest?
While Birmingham could be eager to have Butland return to St. Andrew’s, Rangers are unlikely to cooperate.
When the January transfer window opens, the Rangers reportedly have no interest in selling Butland, which is to be somewhat expected given that he only recently agreed to a four-year contract.
It is the first time in a number of years that the 30-year-old is getting regular first-team football, having sat on the bench at Crystal Palace and Man United for a few seasons in succession, and things are going just fine for the former England international at Ibrox.
Butland won’t be impossible to sign for Birmingham should they want him, but he’d likely cost more than his true valuation.
How should Birmingham approach their Jack Butland interest in January?
Despite Rangers not wanting to let Butland go, according to reports that is, every player has their price and ex-England international midfielder Carlton Palmer thinks that Birmingham have to put an enticing transfer offer on the table come January to make the Gers think – that is if their interest is serious.
“Glasgow Rangers have a firm stance on Jack Butland, who has been their standout signing from the summer,” Palmer said when speaking to Football League World
“He has performed very, very well there and they are making a stance that they do not want to sell him.
“So, all Birmingham can do is make a big offer in the January transfer window, and hope that would force Rangers’ hands to sell.
“But, they have to look at the factors that Jack is approaching 31 now, still relatively young for a goalkeeper, but then they’ve got his salary on top.
“So, it’s a case of yes, Wayne Rooney wants to bring in another goalkeeper as his number one, he’s identified Jack Butland, and it’s a question of how much they’re prepared to pay for Rangers to release him.”
