Championship outfit Birmingham City are determined to find a new shot-stopper during the summer window to provide competition for Neil Etheridge, according to a report from Birmingham Live.

Lee Bowyer's side are set to wave goodbye to Connal Trueman on the expiration of his contract at St Andrew's this summer and with Matija Sarkic returning to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January after dislocating his shoulder, they are in desperate need of adding another goalkeeper to their first-team squad.

Sarkic is one player that are reportedly interested in but with his current side keen on keeping hold of the 24-year-old, they are now pursuing other options with enquiries for other goalkeepers now being made.

 

 

This is a blow to the West Midlands outfit who saw the Montenegro international shine during his spell at the club - but is now needed at their local rivals as he prepares to take the step up to the top flight.

Jack Butland has been linked with a shock move to St Andrew's with the nine-cap international potentially surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park this summer if another keeper arrives in the English capital.

Birmingham Live believe a move is unlikely at this stage despite registering their interest - but that won't end their quest of adding another option in this area with Etheridge in desperate need of someone to provide competition for his starting spot.

The Verdict:

Although Sarkic was very good last season, they are currently not in need of someone to come in as a first-choice stopper with Etheridge already a reasonably accomplished option to have in the second tier.

However, they ideally need someone who can come in and actively compete for his starting spot and not someone who's guaranteed to be on the bench all season, so it will be interesting to see who they can bring in.

In terms of starting options, they need to be prioritising a specialist left wing-back who already has vast experience of playing in that role, with Kristian Pedersen and Jeremie Bela both leaving on the expiration of their contracts this summer along with Trueman.

The centre-back area also needs to be looked at with Harlee Dean likely to leave in the coming months and Teden Mengi returning to Manchester United - and this will be particularly important if Bowyer wants to continue playing a back three.

A shot-stopper would also be ideal though and this is why they are right to have that position high up on their list of priorities, though they shouldn't be looking to break the bank for an addition with other positions needing to be added too as well.