Rangers want £5m+ to sell Jack Butland to Birmingham City as pundit speaks out
Carlton Palmer has played down the chances of Birmingham City managing to sign Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the January transfer window.
The Light Blues signed the former Manchester United keeper on a free transfer in the summer and the 30-year-old has been one of the best performers at Ibrox this season having started every game under Michael Beale, Steven Davis and Philippe Clement.
Despite signing a four-year deal with Rangers, reports emerged that Wayne Rooney’s side was interested in signing Butland [The Sun, 14 October] but Palmer doesn’t believe that the Championship side would be able to match the Light Blues’ asking price.
Speaking to Football League World on Tuesday (24 October) Palmer said: “Glasgow Rangers have stated they would want in excess of £5m for their experienced goalkeeper. Butland is now 30, and £5m would be a substantial fee to pay in any event for a player of his age, and I’m quite sure Birmingham City cannot afford the fee and his salary.
“I can see why Rangers have put that fee on his head, as he’s been in fine form for them. After signing on a free, Jack is enjoying a new lease of life and is under contract until 2027.”
Good news
Rangers’ start to the season has been incredibly disappointing as the Light Blues have struggled both domestically and in Europe with a number of the new summer signings struggling to adapt to life in the Scottish Premiership and their poor form has seen Beale sacked.
But the one new signing that has taken to life at Ibrox like a duck to water is Butland who has been in inspired form throughout the opening matches of the season, had the Gers not had him between the posts, the start to the season would have been even more disastrous.
The Light Blues cannot afford to allow the former United keeper to depart for any price and they have likely ensured that Butland won’t be going anywhere by setting his price around the £5 million mark, more than any Championship club will be willing to spend on a goalkeeper.
With three and a half years left on his Rangers contract, Philippe Clement should be planning for the England international to be his number one for the next few years and if Butland can maintain this early form, there is no reason why he won’t attract more interest in the coming windows.
In other Rangers news, Beale has deactivated his Twitter account after doubling down over his Ibrox tenure on social media