Southampton are favourites for Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The Sun says the South Coast club came in with a £6million bid for Butland last summer. It was rejected but Birmingham's finances are desperate after the sale of the club was again delayed and a cut-price £5m offer could succeed.

Southampton are set to step up their pursuit of Butland once chairman Nicola Cortese returns from a break this week.

Liverpool and Everton are also interested, although they may be put off by the price tag.