Birmingham City have switched their goalkeeping targets and are now targeting Brighton and Hove Albion's Kjell Scherpen. 

That is according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, who reports that the Blues have turned their attention to the Dutch shot-stopper after failing to convince Jack Butland to return to St. Andrews.

Birmingham have long been linked with a move for Butland this summer, after Crystal Palace signed Sam Johnstone, who departed West Brom at the end of June when his contract there expired.

His arrival at Selhurst Park pushed Butland further down the pecking order to third choice.

Kjell Scherpen was signed by Brighton last summer from Dutch giants Ajax, where he had mostly featured for their 'B' team in the Dutch second-tier.

At just 22-years-old, he made seven appearances out on loan last season during a two month spell with KV Oostende in the Belgian top division.

In those matches, the tall Dutchman kept two clean sheets.

Other clubs are also reportedly interested in securing his services this summer.

The Blues currently have Neil Etheridge as their number one goalkeeper but are clearly looking for other options given Scherpen is yet another goalie to be linked with a move to St. Andrews this summer.

Interestingly, Nixon also reports that Etheridge is due a contract rise if he 'plays more matches', too, which could have something to do with it.

The Verdict

This would be a very sensible move by Birmingham City.

Clearly Jack Butland doesn't fancy a re-union with the club, otherwise you feel that one would have been wrapped up by now. As such, it is time the club moved on.

Scherpen would be a good addition, and at 22, you feel a season in the Championship would do him good, too.

If Brighton see him as a potential future number one, he needs more experience in England and a loan to the Midlands this summer would allow him to gain that.