Birmingham hope Chelsea interest will drive up Jack Butland's price

• Blues desperate to get more than £3m for England goalkeeper
• Curtis Davies and Chris Burke could also leave on deadline

by Stuart James 3 months ago

Jack Butland's future is expected to be decided on deadline day, with Birmingham City hopeful that late interest from a number of clubs, including Chelsea, will drive up the England international's asking price.

Birmingham turned down a £6m bid from Southampton seven months ago but the Championship club's precarious financial position means they need to sell the 19-year-old goalkeeper before the window closes, with their reduced bargaining power meaning the fee could be as low as £3m.

Although Chelsea are understood to have made an inquiry for Butland, it is far from certain that a deal will go through with the European champions.

Chelsea have high hopes for Thibaut Courtois, the 20-year-old Belgian currently on loan at Atlético Madrid, while Butland is believed to be concerned about the number of first-team opportunities he will get at Stamford Bridge.

Birmingham, meanwhile, have turned down a £500,000 offer from Nottingham Forest for the Scotland international Chris Burke. On what promises to be a busy final 24 hours of the transfer window at St Andrew's, there is also the prospect of Curtis Davies departing, with Reading and Norwich City showing interest in the central defender.