Chelsea are reportedly set to move for Stoke City superstar Jack Butland as a potential replacement for contract rebel Thibaut Courtois.
According to Daily Mail, Chelsea are readying a move for Jack Butland. The English international is likely to be on his way out of recently-relegated Stoke City and it seems the Blues are targeting the star as a potential replacement for outbound Thibaut Courtois, who has been heavily linked to the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and PSG.
Jack Butland made a name for himself while playing for Birmingham that saw him steal a move to Stoke City. The goalkeeper then came into his own in the Premier League, establishing himself as not only one of the best pair of hands in the league but also a competitor to be the first-choice keeper for the England National Side.
After missing a year of action due to a dislocation of his ankle, Butland recovered and showed glimpses of his ability but was powerless to prevent goals being leaked in by a poor Stoke City side, who let in a total of 68 goals in the Premier League – 61 of them with Butland between the sticks.
Still, Butland is a player with too much quality for the second division and with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea interested in the Englishman, the player is unlikely to even get a taste of Championship football in the upcoming season.
Chelsea seem to be in a spot of bother, with gloomy skies over Stamford Bridge. Their plans for a new stadium is on hold after Roman Abramovich was denied a UK visa while the club have reportedly ended contract talks over an extension with Thibaut Courtois, meaning the Belgian is likely to be cashed in on by the Blues.
While Courtois leaving the club could be a problem, the Belgian’s sale is likely to rake in a hefty fee for Chelsea to reinvest into the squad. And they are targeting Butland, a player who will be more accessible compared to the likes of Alisson, who are being chased by several other top clubs.
Butland will be eager to put the 2017-18 campaign behind him and prove that he is still a top-tier goalkeeper. Chelsea would want to wrap up a deal as quickly as possible, lest other clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool might come in if they face rejection in the pursuit of their preferred targets.
