“Low risk, high reward” – Birmingham City chasing Brighton and Hove Albion transfer deal: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City are chasing an agreement to sign Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen on loan, it has emerged.

The news broke over the weekend via Alan Nixon, who claims the Blues have turned their attention to the Dutch goalkeeper after failing to convince Jack Butland to return to the Championship.

Scherpen was signed by Brighton from Ajax last summer, and spent time on loan in Belgium last campaign.

With the above in mind, we asked some of our writers here at FLW for their thoughts on whether or not this would be a good signing for the Blues.

Billy Mulley

Seemingly relatively high up on the priority list this summer, adding a quality option to bolster the goalkeeping department is something to keep an eye on at Birmingham City over the next few weeks.

Creeping closer to the start of the new campaign, the Blues will be eager to get this one over the line, with it suggesting that they are ending their pursuit of Jack Butland.

Operating as a deputy option last season for Brighton, before embarking on a loan spell with Belgian outfit Oostende, regular football in the Championship could be the next best step.

Gaining invaluable experience in Holland’s top-flight with FC Emmen in the early stages of his career, Birmingham could be the ideal destination for the young goalkeeper to kick on.

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Ned Holmes

Goalkeeper is a position in which Birmingham City need to strengthen so taking Kjell Scherpen on loan looks a smart bit of business.

The 22-year-old cut his teeth in the Belgian top tier last season and while he’s not yet the finished article, he will be hungry to prove himself in English football.

There are question marks over whether Neil Etheridge can still cut it in the Championship so cover and competition for him is needed in the current window.

Scherpen represents a low cost way of doing just that and has the potential to be a wise addition to John Eustace’s squad.

It’s low risk, high reward.

Adam Jones

Scherpen could be a good option to have despite the lack of first-team football he played last season, with the Dutchman enjoying a fruitful 2018/19 campaign in the Eredivisie.

With this experience under his belt, he could be an excellent competitor for Neil Etheridge in goal – but he shouldn’t be guaranteed to be first choice throughout the campaign.

This is why John Eustace’s side should be prepared to play Etheridge even if it triggers a wage increase – and this intention should help to keep pressure on Scherpen who will need to maximise his performance levels to remain between the sticks.

Of course the Dutchman’s recent lack of senior football is a concern – but they can afford to take this risk with a player of Etheridge’s calibre also at their disposal.