Sky Sports understands that Birmingham City have rejected a £6million bid from Southampton for highly-rated goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Blues reluctant to part with highly-rated goalkeeper
Sky Sports understands that Birmingham City have rejected a £6million bid from Southampton for highly-rated goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The 19-year-old shot-stopper is yet to make his senior debut for the Blues, but is considered to be a hot prospect for the future.
Birmingham have been careful to nurture him in the right way, with two loan spells taken in at Cheltenham Town.
Butland may be short on top-level experience, but his progress has caught the eye of those at the very top of the game.
Following John Ruddy's late withdrawal from England's Euro 2012 squad, national coach Roy Hodgson turned to Butland as cover.
Profile
He will have benefited greatly from working with international stars such as Joe Hart, and his profile has risen considerably on the back of his selection.
Southampton are among those to have sat up and taken notice, as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
They have tested the water with a sizeable bid, but Birmingham have made it clear that they are reluctant to sell.
New Blues boss Lee Clark has announced his
intention to keep Butland at St Andrew's, while acting chairman Peter Pannu has made it clear that it would take
an 'eye-popping' offer to tempt the club into parting with their prized assets.
