Although Wayne Rooney took over as Birmingham City’s manager just last Wednesday, he has already decided that former Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland should be his first acquisition.
After parting ways with John Eustace, the Midlands club hired Rooney as manager of Birmingham three days after he resigned from his position as manager of D.C. United, a team that was lying sixth in the Championship.
John Ruddy is playing well in goal for Birmingham, who have only let up 11 goals in 11 games. However, Rooney wants a backup at the position because Ruddy will turn 37 before the end of the month.
According to Alan Nixon of the Sun, “new boss Wayne Rooney wants Jack Butland at Birmingham.” “Rooney wants to sign a keeper and former Blues discovery Butland, currently with Rangers, is his first choice – although he may have to wait for him.
Butland’s cost range
Before joining Rangers on a free transfer, Butland spent the second part of the previous season on loan at United from Crystal Palace. He appeared on the bench 20 times but not in a competitive game.
The Birmingham youth academy graduate, who has won nine caps for England, signed a four-year contract at Ibrox. Because of this and the fact that the Blues are now trying to balance their budget, Rooney might have to wait to get his man.
Although Butland’s highest xTV of €11.7 million (£10.1 million) in January 2016 put him at €1.5 million (£1.3 million) according to FootballTransfers’ in-house methodology, Rangers will surely look for a fee between the two sums to part ways with their new No. 1 so quickly.
During Butland’s nine caps for his nation, Rooney and he only ever played together for England. Prior to Harry Kane surpassing him, Rooney held the record for the most goals scored in the country with 53.
