Butland will be costly, says Clark

Birmingham manager Lee Clark has warned clubs chasing highly-touted goalkeeper Jack Butland that they will need to pay a significant fee.

Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to capture the 19-year-old England international, while Everton manager David Moyes recently admitted that his club have made enquiries in the past.

Southampton are believed to have had a bid of around six million pounds rejected in the summer transfer window and Clark insists that Premier League sides will need to improve their offers to prise Butland away from St Andrew’s.

“By the time the window opens he’ll have played 25 or so Championship games,” Clark said.

“We would be looking for an even more substantial figure than we were offered in the summer – even though I certainly don’t want it to come to that.”

Birmingham have struggled so far this season and currently lie in 19th place in the Championship as the season approaches its halfway point.

Clark hopes to be allowed to construct a brighter future around the likes of Butland, but admitted that the club’s executives would have the final say on bids received in January.

“Ultimately, it’s down to the board,” he said.

“He’s the future and the type of player I’d rather build my team around.”