Ex-West Brom star must leave Ipswich - Blackburn Rovers & Charlton can offer January exit | OneFootball

Former West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer has fallen out of favour at Ipswich Town as Blackburn and Charlton can offer January escape

Ipswich Town, following their promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, spent in excess of £189 million on new arrivals, as naturally, players who were with the club in the Championship across all areas of the pitch have fallen down the pecking order as a result.

Ipswich are looking to ensure their stay in the top flight doesn't end after just one season again, outspending numerous European powerhouses such as Barcelona, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain in the most recent window.

Every single area of the pitch was addressed across the Tractor Boys squad, including goalkeeper, as Kjell Scherpen joined from Union Saint-Gilloise to become the club's new number one, whilst Kayne van Oevelen joined from FC Volendam before being immediately loaned out to Valencia.

This has pushed each of Christian Walton, Alex Palmer, and David Button down in the pecking order at Portman Road, with Palmer in particular suffering a surprise fall from grace in the past couple of years.

Why Championship clubs should be interested in offering Alex Palmer an Ipswich Town escape route this January

Action images

Palmer, 30, came through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion, making over a century of appearances for the Baggies in between numerous loan spells to the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Lincoln City, and Luton Town.

After impressing in the Championship, the Englishman would make the jump to the Premier League in January 2025 with Ipswich Town for just £2 million, replacing Arijanet Muric between the sticks.

However, after suffering relegation back to the second tier, Palmer's stay between the sticks wouldn't last for long, as Christian Walton would replace him before the end of the year, and he has remained a backup since.

Signed as a number one in the Premier League and now essentially a third-choice option, Palmer is too good not to even make the bench for Ipswich, as Football League World has taken a look at two Championship clubs that should be looking to sign the 30-year-old this winter.

Blackburn Rovers

Action images

Blackburn Rovers' aim this season will be to avoid relegation, which, for the former Premier League champions, is a damning indictment of the current expectations around the club.

This largely stems from the lack of investment from the Venky's ownership for the past 16 years has meant that the Lancashire-based outfit has struggled to properly challenge for a return to the top flight, and with as many as 13 players out of contract in the summer, things could very easily go from bad to worse at Ewood Park.

Among those 13 contract expiries are first-choice and second-choice goalkeepers Balazs Toth and Aynsley Pears, and with the former having been linked with Celtic previously and shown few indications of penning an extension, it leaves Rovers in a bit of a predicament.

A new number one for next season will surely be on the cards for Blackburn, who should be plotting a potential move for Palmer as early as January.

There is a chance Toth could leave the club before the end of his contract, and in that event, an alternative should already be lined up; if Ipswich are willing to part ways with Palmer on loan or on the cheap, then Blackburn ought to be all over this deal.

Charlton Athletic

Action images

Charlton Athletic have struggled between the sticks since their return to the Championship.

Former Luton Town and Blackburn shot-stopper Thomas Kaminski was signed from the former upon their return to the second tier last summer, but a string of poor performances saw Nathan Jones drop the Belgian and award Will Mannion with a shot in goal.

Mannion did a solid, if not unspectacular, job upon stepping up, and with Kaminski being loaned out to Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia on loan for the season, a new number one was needed, as Wrexham's Arthur Okonkwo headed to The Valley for the campaign.

Okonkwo has enjoyed a decent start to life in South East London, but only on loan; there is no guarantee he will return to the Addicks on a permanent deal, as Jones should already have his eye on their long-term number one.

Whilst Palmer is no spring chicken, the former Baggies goalkeeper has previously excelled in the second tier, and having previously worked with Jones briefly at Luton, the pair will be well aware of one another.

The Englishman is more than capable of operating at a high level in the Championship, and should he become available, Charlton must throw their hats into the ring.