Birmingham City, Watford, Swansea plot move to sign 24-year-old | OneFootball

Birmingham City, Watford and Swansea City are all tracking Nick Shinton ahead of the summer transfer market

Birmingham City’s chances of gaining promotion to the Premier League this season took a big hit at the weekend.

The Blues suffered 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic, which has left them eight points adrift of the play-offs, while sixth place Wrexham also have a game in hand.

The Midlands outfit are now level on points with Swansea City, Sheffield United and Preston North End, with just 10 fixtures remaining in the campaign.

Bristol City are one point ahead, while Watford are again one further ahead, with this pack all chasing down a place inside the top six.

However, they will all already have some of their attention turned to the upcoming summer transfer window.

Each of these clubs will be hoping to strengthen in between campaigns, with their eyes all on being able to fight for a place in the Premier League again next year, should they miss out on the play-offs.

Birmingham, Swansea and Watford eye Belgian goalkeeper

Birmingham, Swansea and Watford are all eyeing a summer move for Nick Shinton following his impressive performances in Belgium.

According to Football Insider, the 24-year-old is attracting a lot of attention from Championship clubs ahead of the transfer market reopening.

The Belgian is in his second season at Beerschot, and he has been a key part of the side this year as the team competes for promotion back to the Belgian Pro League.

The trio of second division clubs are reportedly making regular checks on the shot stopper, with the team just four points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Birmingham, Watford and Swansea are all ready to make a move in the summer, with the goalkeeper earning 10 clean sheets from 27 league appearances so far this term.

The 24-year-old came through the ranks of the Club Brugge academy system, and he has been capped by Belgium at U21 level in the past.

Shinton signed for Beerschot in the 2024 summer transfer window, agreeing to a multi-year contract.

Watford are currently the highest up the table of these three clubs, with the team sitting ninth in the Championship.

The Hornets are only two points clear of Birmingham in 12th, who lead the Swans by virtue of their superior goal difference after 36 games.

All three will be back in action this midweek, with Ed Still’s side set to face Sheffield Wednesday, while the Welsh outfit will travel to Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Birmingham are set to host QPR on Wednesday evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Nick Shinton could solve goalkeeper problems for Birmingham

James Beadle’s loan spell will come to an end when the season concludes, which will leave Chris Davies’ side without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Given his recent form for the Blues, it’s no surprise that the club have turned their attention to alternative targets instead of focusing on keeping the Brighton player at St. Andrew’s.

Shinton could be a smart solution to their issues between the sticks given his form for Beerschot in the Belgian Pro League B this season.

But Watford and Swansea will also provide stiff competition, as they too will want to strengthen their goalkeeper options in the summer.