Butland bid 'would have to be eye-popping' (From Daily Echo)
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Any Saints bid for Jack Butland 'would have to be eye-popping' say Birmingham
2:24pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport
Jack Butland
BIRMINGHAM City will only sell goalkeeper Jack Butland to Saints if they receive an “eye-popping offer”.
The 19-year-old Blues ace, pictured, who was part of the England squad for Euro 2012, has been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
That includes Saints, who have enquired about the player.
However, Birmingham’s acting chairman, Peter Pannu, has said the Championship outfit would only let Butland leave in return for a major fee.
The player is reportedly valued between £3m and £4m.
Included in a statement addressing a number of issues at the club, Pannu said: “Jack Butland and (winger) Nathan Redmond are not for sale unless we are subject to an eye-popping offer.”
However, the Blues are facing a difficult financial future, with Pannu warning they must be careful to avoid administration.
And he has made it clear that Birmingham would consider offers for their top stars.
Pannu added: “Our supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any derisory financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested, but equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions which we accept are not always going to be popular.
“After all, this is a business.
“I am sure no one wants the club to go into administration.”
Butland spent most of last season on loan at League Two side Cheltenham, making 24 appearances and keeping 11 clean sheets.
He is one of a number of keepers Saints have been linked with this summer.
Newcastle’s 6ft 7in stopper Fraser Forster is another the club have asked about.
Free agent Craig Gordon has also been rumoured to be on the radar after being released by Sunderland.
Saints need a new keeper after releasing Bartosz Bialkowski, who has since joined League 1 club Notts County.
Comments(9)
SFCOLDBOY
says...
2:50pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Birmingham have financial worries like most clubs therefore they will display the most positive vibe for their supporters and backers.
If he is not a target then I am certain that there are other irons in the fire.
COYR
arm chair fan
says...
2:54pm Wed 27 Jun 12
notaclue
says...
2:55pm Wed 27 Jun 12
mbetts
says...
2:55pm Wed 27 Jun 12
19 Year old prospect, who might one day be world class, or alternatively might one day be the goalkeeping equivalent of Francis Jeffers.
I think we need to look elsewhere, it'd be lovely to have the next big thing, but since his inclusion in the Euro Squad he's now destined for a mega money move, we should have snapped him up before he became well known.
worried of n e hampshire
says...
6:46pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
8:28pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Ashley Charles Pragnell
says...
2:15am Thu 28 Jun 12
SaintsOverseer
says...
8:49am Thu 28 Jun 12
Alicesdad says...
2:38pm Wed 27 Jun 12
So we shall see. It remains to be seen if we are in competition with other clubs for Butlands services. Much of that type of comment is drummed up by agents trying to increase their percentage.
I remain completely confident that we will build our team prudently and inject flair and skill. It takes time and we want to get it right.
It's just brilliant that we are in a position to be going after these players. This club is going to be even more awesome than it was before. It is truly wonderful being a Saint !!