Wayne Rooney Wants to Sign Jack Butland for Birmingham City
New Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney wants to sign Jack Butland, but he may have to wait until next summer to get his man. Rooney has replaced John Eustace as Blues boss, despite the team sitting sixth in the Championship table after an impressive start to the season.
The Manchester United and England legend takes charge of his first match on Saturday at Middlesbrough as he looks to make an early impression, alongside coaching staff including Ashley Cole and John O’Shea.
Rooney’s Relationship with Butland
Rooney played with Cole at England and O’Shea at Manchester United and he wants to bring in a player who has turned out for the Three Lions and was at Old Trafford earlier this year in Butland. The 30-year-old moved to the Red Devils on loan from Crystal Palace last season, but has since moved to Scotland, signed by Rangers over the summer on a four-year deal.
The Sun reports that Rooney wants to bring that deal to an end at the earliest opportunity and tempt him back to the Championship with Birmingham. Butland began his professional career at Birmingham, making 46 appearances for the club before a move to Stoke City in 2013.
Birmingham City’s Current Goalkeeper Situation
Rooney is reportedly keen to add another goalkeeper to his squad, with his options currently the experienced pair of John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge. Former Norwich stopper Ruddy has played all 11 Championship games so far this campaign, but at 36 years old is nearing the end of his playing career.
Butland is first choice at Rangers, playing all eight Scottish Premiership games this campaign, although defeats to Celtic and Aberdeen already have left them seven points off the pace behind their Glasgow rivals.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen if Rooney can convince Butland to return to Birmingham City, but it is clear that he is keen to bring in a goalkeeper with more experience than what he currently has in his squad. With Butland’s contract at Rangers not set to expire until 2027, it may be a long wait before we see him back in the Championship.
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