Luton Town have agreed a deal with Birmingham City to sign goalkeeper John Ruddy, according to the Daily Mail, but the move will only be completed on one condition.
The English outlet are claiming that the Blues have accepted a £750,000 bid from the newly-promoted Premier League side but will only allow the veteran to move to Kenilworth Road if they sign a replacement.
The 36-year-old made 43 appearances for John Eustace’s team last season as Birmingham City finished in 17th, nine points above the relegation zone, confirming the club’s Championship survival for another season.
Ruddy also started in goal for the St Andrew’s club on Saturday as Eustace’s side came away with a hard-fought point in Wales against Michael Duff’s Swansea City.
Now, Birmingham look set to lose their number ‘1’ but only if a replacement can be found before the transfer window shuts in little over three weeks.
The former League One goalkeeper would join the likes of Tahith Chong and Jobe Bellingham in moving on to pastures new if a deal is to be finalised with the Premier League outfit.
One in, one out?
Luton have been in a seemingly endless pursuit of goalkeepers this season, being linked with a plethora of shot-stoppers before finally clinching the signing of Thomas Kaminski from Blackburn Rovers.
Ex-Portsmouth loanee Matt Macey and last season’s main man between the posts James Shea are still in the squad too, meaning Ruddy would be the fourth goalkeeper in the first-team.
It seems likely that one of either Macey or Shea will be leaving this summer, be it on a permanent or temporary basis, in order to compensate for the arrival of Ruddy.
Writer’s View
Ruddy would bring an abundance of Premier League experience to Kenilworth Road, having spent several years with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and most famously Norwich City in England’s top-flight.
Nevertheless, it will be a big loss for Birmingham City and so it’s understandable that Eustace won’t sanction the transfer until a steady replacement is found.
