Current FA Cup holders Chelsea are searching high and low for a replacement in goal as Thibaut Courtois is finally set to make his move away from West London an official one. The72 reports that the Blues are now favourites to sign the Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The Englishman was tipped as a favourite to sign for Liverpool as last season’s Champions League finalists were desperate to find a replacement for their out of form goalkeeper Loris Karius. Having secured the services of AS Roma and Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s interest in the 2nd choice England goalkeeper has subsequently come to a close, after weeks of speculation that Butland would become a Red.
Chelsea have now become the number 1 team in the running to sign the Stoke City star, according to odds placed by bookmakers at Sky Bet. This means that their interest in Butland has died, making Chelsea the new favourites to secure his signature with the Blues given odds of 3/1 to sign the goalkeeper.
The former Premier League champions view Butland as the perfect replacement for their Belgian shot-stopper who inches closer to a move to the Spanish capital and join the reigning European champions Real Madrid. Chelsea will be at a real loss if they are to watch Courtois turn his back on them and walk away.
However, personal reasons and the greatness which come along when signing for a club with the prestige of Real Madrid is hard to decline. He will be leaving Chelsea with a big void to fill if Madrid do make his inclusion in their team an authorized one.
Jack Butland’s expectations to remain at the Bet365 Stadium stands reasonably unclear as a move away from the Championship is something he will be hoping to achieve if he is to challenge the current England number 1 Jordan Pickford to a place between the sticks.
The 25-year-old Butland has returned from Russia and now aims to get his future sorted out before the close of the transfer window. He is expected to talk to the Stoke City hierarchy about his future but there is an inkling that the player will be part of the Stoke team come the start of the Championship season.
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If Butland and Chelsea do in fact agree that a relationship between the pair is favourable, the English keeper will have been handed a fantastic opportunity to kick-start a new chapter in his career.
