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Charlton Athletic transfer action could put pressure on Blackburn Rovers: View
John Ruddy looks as though he could have a choice of clubs to pick from this summer
John Ruddy could be leaving Birmingham City for Charlton Athletic this summer, despite a new deal offer.
Blackburn Rovers are also interested in signing Ruddy to strengthen their goalkeeping options.
The outcome of the Ruddy transfer saga could have implications for both Birmingham and Blackburn in the market.
It looks as though it could be a period of change for Birmingham City in this summer’s transfer window.
Following their relegation from the Championship to League One at the end of last season, you would expect there to be incomings and outgoings from the first-team squad this summer.
That lead to plenty of speculation around the futures of a number of individuals with connections to club, one of which is John Ruddy.
As things stand, the goalkeeper is out of contract with Birmingham City this summer, after two seasons at St Andrew’s where he has made 89 appearances in all competitions.
The Blues confirmed in their end of season retained list that they have offered the 37-year-old a new deal.
Now though, it appears as though they could have competition for his services, from one club they are set to be competing with in the third-tier next season.
League One club keen on John Ruddy
According to recent reports from Football Insider, Charlton Athletic have now opened preliminary talks about a potential deal to sign Ruddy this summer.
The Addicks finished last season 16th in the League One table, after an upturn in form following the appointment of Nathan Jones back in February.
As a result, they like Birmingham, will likely have their sights set on winning promotion back to the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign.
It could therefore, be something of a blow for the Blues, if they were to lose Ruddy to Charlton this summer, although the signing of Ryan Allsop at St Andrew’s may offset that somewhat.
By contrast, it could be argued that Charlton winning the race for Ruddy, could be more of a concern for a club already set to be competing in the Championship next season, in the form of Blackburn Rovers.
John Ruddy has already been touted for a move to Ewood Park
As far back as April, it was reported that Blackburn themselves are also keen on a deal to sign Ruddy this summer.
Indeed, a new goalkeeper may well need to be on the agenda for the Lancashire club in the current transfer window.
The 2023/24 season saw both of their senior options between the posts, Aynsley Pears and Leo Wahlstedt, make some costly errors over the course of the campaign, as they narrowly avoided relegation to League One themselves.
