Wayne Rooney is reportedly keen to make Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland his first signing as Birmingham City manager.
The 37-year-old was unveiled as the new Blues boss last week, putting pen to paper on three-and-a-half-year contract at St Andrew's.
After 15 months in charge of MLS outfit DC United, Rooney has returned to England and is tasked with steering Birmingham back into the Premier League after a 12-year absence, with his new side currently sitting sixth in the Championship after 11 games.
Birmingham CEO Garry Cook stated last week that the timing of Rooney's appointment will give him sufficient time to evaluate his first-team squad and work alongside technical director Craig Gardner on player recruitment ahead of the January and summer transfer windows.
An early transfer target has since emerged as The Sun reports that Rooney is eyeing up a winter-window swoop for former England teammate Butland.
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The report adds that Rooney is keen to recruit a new goalkeeper and has identified 30-year-old Butland as his first-choice target.
However, it is claimed that Butland would need to force an exit from Rangers for a small transfer fee in order to make the move happen in January.
Birmingham would also be required to balance their books by moving on a number of the club's highest earners to generate funds for new recruits.
The West Midlands club are allegedly looking to move out goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is on a large salary and is currently playing second fiddle to first-choice shot-stopper John Ruddy.
Butland only joined Rangers in the summer on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Crystal Palace, and he has since cemented his place as the Scottish club's number one goalkeeper.
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The former Manchester United loanee has kept seven clean sheets in 16 appearances for the Gers across all competitions, featuring in the Scottish Premiership, Scottish League Cup, Champions League qualifiers and Europa League group stage.
Butland is under contract at Ibrox until May 2027 and it remains to be seen whether Rangers would be willing to part ways with the shot-stopper now that they have appointed Philippe Clement as their new manager.
Clement has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Gers and has replaced Michael Beale, who signed Butland before being relieved of his duties two weeks ago following an underwhelming start to the new season.
Butland could be tempted to return to Birmingham where he began his professional career back in 2010, making 46 first-team appearances over three years before moving to Stoke City.
