Birmingham City set to suffer Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer frustration

Birmingham City’s hopes of reclaiming Matija Sarkic will be frustrated with the goalkeeper set to remain at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Blues had hoped to bring the 24-year-old back to St Andrew’s following an excellent first half of last season.

Sarkic arrived on loan last summer and proceeded to keep ten clean sheets from 23 Championship appearances before a dislocated shoulder wrecked his season. Nevertheless the quality of his displays stuck in the memory long enough for fans to vote him Supporters Player of the Season.

They also stuck in the mind of the first team set-up with Blues interested either in a permanent transfer or another loan deal for next term. Speaking to BirminghamLive Sarkic admitted he had ‘unfinished business’ with the club, while Wolves’ goalkeeper coach Tony Roberts gave Blues hope when he outlined the importance of first team football at this stage in the Montenegrin’s development.

However, the departure of John Ruddy has created a vacancy behind Molineux No. 1 Jose Sa and it now seems as though Sarkic is in pole position to assume that role, or even challenge the Portuguese stopper.

BirminghamLive acknowledged how difficult a deal it would be for Blues to strike while The Athletic said they believe Sarkic has earned the right to stay with Wolves.

That leaves Blues, who have released Connal Trueman, with the dependable Neil Etheridge as first choice, with Zach Jeacock as his understudy.