Birmingham City have two goalkeepers signed up for next season, but they are now searching for their forever goalkeeper to complete the department. Third-choice stopper Brad Mayo, 21, has signed a new two-year contract to continue his development under goalkeeping coach Maik Taylor, Ryan Allsop, and the new first-choice keeper.
There are plenty of proven Championship goalkeepers available this summer. James Beadle, who played for Blues last season, is likely to embark on the fourth Championship loan of his career, hoping to emulate Brighton colleague Carl Rushworth. Rushworth enjoyed an outstanding season for Coventry City, winning the Golden Glove and the Championship title, and now carries a £20 million price tag with clubs vying for his signature.
Anthony Patterson has been made available by Sunderland and, at 26, boasts considerable experience. However, his reported £8-10 million price tag may deter Championship suitors. A more affordable option for Blues could be Radek Vitek, the Manchester United youngster who excelled at Bristol City last season. Vitek kept 12 clean sheets in 41 Championship games—a tally bettered by only three goalkeepers—and won Bristol City's Player of the Year award. His 72 percent save percentage placed him among the top eight Championship goalkeepers for shot-stopping, and the two goalkeepers who made more saves than Vitek's 133 played four more games each.
According to The Athletic, Vitek, now 22, is expected to seek first-team football after his successful loan, which could come via another loan or a permanent transfer. Signing goalkeepers on loan carries risks without a buy option, as clubs either develop a learning goalkeeper prone to mistakes or provide a platform that increases his transfer value. A permanent deal for Vitek should appeal to Blues, as they would acquire a proven Championship goalkeeper with a high ceiling, without the premium often paid for young English players. The Czech stopper has two years remaining on his Manchester United contract and is valued at around £5 million on Transfermarkt. Blues have not spent such a fee on a goalkeeper since signing Ben Foster from United in 2010.
Other cheaper options include Illan Meslier, a free agent after leaving Leeds United, who brings experience from two promotion-winning campaigns. However, Vitek represents a goalkeeper on the rise, and Blues need a number one capable of matching the club's intended upward trajectory.
