According to The Sun, Norwich City are prepared to make a move for Jack Butland if Stoke City lower their asking fee for the goalkeeper. It is believed that the Canaries are ready to pay around £12-13 million. But, it is way below Stoke’s reported valuation of £25 million. However, the report claims that Butland’s asking price may be lowered in the upcoming January transfer window.
Butland’s spell at Stoke City
Butland initially joined Stoke City in January 2013, in a €3.8 million move from Birmingham City. However, it wasn’t until the 2015/16 campaign when the goalkeeper made his breakthrough in the Premier League. He made 31 appearances in the corresponding season, instantly becoming one of the league’s most sought-after goalkeepers.
However, an unfortunate ankle injury saw him miss almost the entirety of the following campaign. Butland also endured a terrible 2017/18 season, conceding 61 goals in 35 matches as Stoke City were relegated from the top flight.
The 26-year-old, did, however, perform well last season in the Championship even though Stoke City finished 16th in the league table. And with the Potters showing no signs of promotion in the near future, it won’t be surprising to see Butland leaving the bet365 Stadium in January.
Do Norwich City need a new goalkeeper?
Norwich City were devoid of reliable goalkeeping options in the summer as Tim Krul was the only candidate. The Dutchman was the first-choice keeper for the Canaries in their promotion campaign in the Championship last season, mustering over 4,000 minutes of football.
However, Norwich City did sign Ralf Fahrmann this summer to add more depth into the goalkeeping department. The German shot-stopper was brought in from FC Schalke on a season-long loan deal. He is a quality individual who is more than capable of becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
He was, in fact, one of the top five goalkeepers in the Bundesliga before he left Schalke in the summer. And with Krul also doing an excellent job in between the sticks, it would perhaps be wiser for Norwich not to invest in a new goalkeeper in January.
Instead, the Canaries should sign a new left-back as Jamal Lewis is currently the only reliable option in the said position. Philipp Max, for one, should be an exciting option for Daniel Farke, who will also need to add more quality in his side’s midfield department.
