How much money Birmingham City are prepared to pay to sign Aarón Escandell | OneFootball

The Spanish goalkeeper has become a target for Blues in recent days

Birmingham City will be hoping to make even more inroads into the transfer market across the coming weeks, with the early weeks of the summer window proving to be slow-moving thanks to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Blues haven't been afraid to showcase their ambitions under the ownership of Knighthead Capital Management in the past three years, and such feats would certainly have to continue if the club wants to show any sign of ending what has now been a 15-year exile from the Premier League anytime soon.

Chris Davies received plenty of mixed opinions for his managerial performance in last season's Championship as the West Midlands outfit failed to back up two extremely strong and high-profile recruitment drives.

Indeed, Birmingham were never really in and amongst the automatic promotion or play-off contenders aside from the briefest of flirtations in late 2025 and early 2026 through strong runs of form, finishing in 10th instead despite a four-game unbeaten run to end off the campaign.

As such, the 41-year-old recently revealed that he hopes to see a more streetwise approach from those in the squad who played in the Championship last term after receiving criticism for not signing enough players with strong experience in the division, as well as outlining the fact that, depending on the calibre of player, such attributes are not always a necessity.

And, after completing deals for Jhon Solis and Dael Fry, a third summer addition could soon be on the way.

Birmingham City plot move for Real Oviedo's Aaron Escandell as price-tag revealed

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After seeing Ryan Allsop take up the mantle as Blues' starting goalkeeper following his transfer from Hull City ahead of the club's record-breaking season in League One in 2024/25, last season's goalkeeping situation at St. Andrew's proved to be a bit more complicated for Davies in terms of matches played.

The experienced figure remained between the sticks at the start of last season, but was displaced by James Beadle in October, with the Brighton and Hove Albion loanee then going on to make 35 appearances in the Championship, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.

It was claimed that the 22-year-old was being considered as a potential loan option again amid rival interest from Bolton Wanderers, after Davies had outlined that Birmingham plan to spend much more of their transfer budget on outfield players.

However, with Allsop and Brad Mayo the club's only two shot-stoppers at present, it was recently reported that a move for Real Oviedo's Aaron Escandell could be on the cards for the Second City club.

And, backing up such claims, Spanish outlet, El Desmarque, have revealed that whilst there is also interest in the 30-year-old from Celta Vigo and Valencia, Birmingham are confident they can trigger his €5m (£4.2m) release clause.

Although his current employers were relegated from La Liga last season, Escandell was still able to emerge with real credit, posting a record of 10 clean sheets in 36 appearances.

Birmingham City could have been handed early Aaron Escandell transfer boost

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If Escandell was able to replicate his strong form between the sticks from La Liga in the Championship, it would certainly fill Birmingham supporters with confidence that a play-off bid could be sustained after conceding 56 times last season.

Some might question why a younger goalkeeper with strong potential hasn't been targeted instead, but for the fee required, it does feel like a deal worth attempting at this particular moment.

And, within the aforementioned report, Blues could have been given an early indicator about how Oviedo and, potentially, Escandell, are feeling about the transfer, as he was omitted from their friendly in Girona against Al-Qasidah on Wednesday night.