Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a £40 million summer move to land Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland, also an Arsenal target.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool are confident of reinforcing their goalkeeping position come summer. The report states that the Reds are closing in on a £40 million deal to bring Stoke City superstar Jack Butland, who is also being chased by Arsenal, in the summer transfer window.
Jack Butland has always been hailed as the true successor of Joe Hart in the England National Team. The player has only grown in reputation since his move to Stoke City. A long-term ankle injury derailed his progression a bit. But, he has returned to action and is back to saving goals for the Potters, who find themselves in a precarious situation.
Stoke City are currently in the drop zone and could be one of the teams to be relegated. In such a scenario, Jack Butland is unlikely to want to play Championship football, especially at this juncture, with a host of Premier League clubs taking note of his talent – Arsenal and Liverpool to name a few.
Arsenal’s goalkeeping troubles have come to the fore again, with Petr Cech not being able to perform up to the desired level, something that is starting to cost the Gunners dearly. In Butland, not only will they find a long-term successor for Cech, but also one who can form the core of the team and add to the English contingent at the club.
Liverpool’s woes are worse. Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have both failed to excite the Kop army. And while Jurgen Klopp has finally chosen Karius as the true first-choice, the Liverpool manager is reportedly looking for a better quality keeper to guard the goal.
Alisson was a name that was tossed around for a while. But, the Brazilian seems likely to either stay put at Roma or be lured by Real Madrid, PSG or other clubs with a better financial stature. Jack Butland though, could be the perfect man for Liverpool.
Butland has already proven himself in the Premier League over a few seasons and will be open to a move, especially if Stoke City do end up going down at the end of the season.
Liverpool are closing in on an agreement with Stoke City, with the fee touted to be around £40 million. Arsenal will provide stiff competition to the Reds. But, of late, Liverpool have become a better and more enticing project compared to Arsenal, with all the uncertainty surrounding Arsene Wenger’s future at the club and their inability to compete in top-four.
Butland’s arrival would make Liverpool stronger and make them genuine title challengers for the next campaign. As of now, Liverpool would be able to provide Champions League football as well to Butland, something Arsenal are unlikely to be able to, having fallen a fair distance adrift of the top-four teams.
