Birmingham City currently occupies the 21st position in the Championship standings, sharing points with Huddersfield Town, who hold the final relegation spot. Gary Rowett has taken over as interim manager in the absence of Tony Mowbray, who is on medical leave, with the primary objective of steering the team clear of relegation.

Given their precarious league position, Birmingham City’s immediate focus is on short-term goals. However, there’s a need for those in charge to adopt a more long-term perspective, particularly with the crucial summer transfer window approaching.

One pressing issue is the goalkeeper situation, with both John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, aged 37 and 34 respectively, seeing their contracts expire in the summer. It’s probable that at least one of them will depart, opening the door for a new first-choice goalkeeper at St. Andrew’s. In light of recent developments, Rotherham United’s standout performer Viktor Johansson emerges as a viable candidate worth considering for Birmingham City’s transfer plans.

An ideal addition?

Johansson has emerged as a standout performer amidst the challenges faced by Rotherham United, currently positioned at the bottom of the Championship. His contributions extend beyond merely making numerous saves, as evidenced by his consistent displays that have earned him a spot in the Sweden national team. With Rotherham likely facing relegation to League One, Johansson’s contract is rumored to contain a release clause, potentially allowing him to move for a seven-figure fee, although the precise amount remains undisclosed.

Given Birmingham City’s ambitious ownership and their demonstrated willingness to invest in promising talent during previous transfer windows, Johansson appears to be a player worthy of significant investment. He could offer a long-term solution to Birmingham’s goalkeeping concerns, both in anchoring their defense as they strive to climb the Championship table and potentially providing considerable resale value in the future.

The outcome of Birmingham City’s relegation battle and the future of their current goalkeepers, Ruddy and Etheridge, remains uncertain. However, if they manage to secure their position in the Championship, Johansson should undoubtedly feature prominently on their list of summer transfer targets.