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Three Alternatives Birmingham Really Need To Consider Instead Of Bialkowski

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The club seem “hopeful” of getting their transfer ban lifted, according to Sky Sports, however even if we do manage to remove the embargo before the end of the transfer window, we will have to move carefully.

Garry Monk needs to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season, and three or four players are needed at a minimum to ensure we improve on last campaign’s performances.

Personally, I would really like to see Bartosz Bialkowski at the club. He has been excellent for Ipswich over the past few seasons. My major concern, however, would be how much the Tractor Boys end up demanding for the Polish international.

A £2.75m offer has already been rejected, and while a new keeper is a major priority, if the numbers do escalate, we will seriously have to consider alternatives. I know that’s highly speculative at this point. There is a lot that we don’t know about the embargo and why it has been put in place. At the end of it we could have more room to manoeuvre in terms of transfer funds, but at the moment, that seems far from likely.

If we are do offload Stockdale and Kuszczak, and Bialkowski does prove out of reach, we will need to consider some alternatives. Here are a few suggestions:

1) Jamal Blackman

This would be unlikely as he has been heavily linked with Leeds in recent weeks, but the Chelsea goalkeeper is reportedly available on loan. He was excellent for Sheffield United during his loan spell at Bramall Lane.

It would be highly ironic if we swooped in for the 24-year-old as the Whites turned their attentions away from Stockdale in order to pursue the former England youth international.

2) Freddie Woodman

The England Under 21 international is very highly rated at Newcastle, but he will be behind both Martin Dubravka and Rob Elliot in the pecking order at St James’ Park.

He has impressed observers in Scotland during his loan at Kilmarnock during the 2016/17 campaign but had a less successful spell at Aberdeen, having made just eight appearances during the second half of last season.

The 21-year-old could be ready to step up in class from the Scottish Premiership to become a number one in the Championship.

3) Rob Green

Many will roll their eyes at this one, but there’s no doubting Garry Monk is a huge fan of the veteran. At 38 years of age, he would be a temporary solution until we can get a long-term successor. He is available on a free and could still prove a good addition on a short-term deal.

I hope we do keep up our pursuit of Bialkowski but without knowing the FFP situation, it’s hard to know whether that is still a realistic ambition. However, the three names above could be possible solutions if money is tight.

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