Birmingham City new manager Wayne Rooney is keen on signing Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland ahead of the January transfer window, according to the Sun.
The former England international goalie joined the Scottish Premiership giants from Crystal Palace on a free during the summer transfer window.
Butland has established himself as a star for Rangers despite their underwhelming start to 2023-24, featuring in 16 games across all competitions, including the qualifiers for Europe.
Rooney is now eyeing a reunion with his former international teammate and is hoping the opportunity to play in the Premier League will be tempting enough.
Birmingham are aiming to secure promotion with the former DC United manager following his appointment last week.
Rooney wants another goalkeeper and has identified Butland as his first choice, but the 30-year-old would have to push to leave for a small sum to make the move happen in January.
Rangers will not want to lose him without a proper fee despite signing him for nothing, and Birmingham, under their American owners could be willing to splash the cash.
The Light Blues goalie came up through the Birmingham ranks, making his senior debut in 2010 before leaving for Stoke City in 2013, and a return to help them achieve Premier League promotion during the second half of the campaign could be very appealing.
Rangers are still in search of a new permanent manager after parting with Michael Beale, and whoever succeeds him could have reservations about letting Butland leave during the winter transfer window.
Rangers have found themselves seven points behind Celtic in the league table after eight games following three defeats, and losing such an important player mid-way through the campaign could further damage their chances of challenging for silverware this term.
Beale talked Butland into moving north of the border and his exit has left the former Manchester United loanee pondering his future, which could hand Birmingham a chance if they decide to firm up interest in his services.
