Premier League Transfer Rumors: Southampton's Bid for Jack Butland Rejected

Southampton are looking to make a splash in the transfer market as they prepare for their first Premier League season since the 2003-04 season.

According to ESPN Soccernet, the Saints have had a bid rejected for 19-year-old keeper Jack Butland.

Butland is currently under contract with Birmingham City but has not played a game for the Blues yet.

The England third-choice keeper at Euro 2012 spent the past two seasons out on loan at Cheltenham Town in League Two.

Now, with Birmingham naming a new manager in Lee Clark, they are looking to hold on to the young star who is heading to the Olympics with Team Great Britain.

Butland could be the first-choice keeper at St. Andrews' Stadium if Ben Foster chooses not to stay with the club after coming back from his loan spell at West Brom.

However, Butland could be offered the same position in the division above where Birmingham sits as the Premier League bound Saints are looking for someone to replace aging club captain Kelvin Davis.

Davis, 35, is a wily, old veteran who has been with the Saints since 2006 and could be a valuable mentor to Butland if he decides to make the move to the St. Mary's Stadium.

Regardless of if he makes a move to the Premier League this season, Butland's name is one to remember as he will not only play a big role at the club level but could even do the same at the international level if anything happens to Joe Hart.