Liverpool are interested in securing the services of Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland next summer. According to recent reports, the Reds are confident about their chances of securing a record-breaking £40m deal for the Potters keeper. The 25-year-old shot-stopper has put in some eye-catching displays for Stoke this season which could earn him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Russia later this year.
It is being reported that Arsenal are also keeping tabs on Butland but the England international prefers a move to Anfield to work under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp. The Potters are resigned to parting ways with their star keeper but are asking for an offer which will eclipse the world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper of £34.7m which Manchester City paid to bring Ederson in from Benfica last summer. It will also outshine Everton’s £30m swoop of Jordan Pickford from Sunderland last year. Some sources are claiming that Paul Lambert’s side are looking for a fee in the region of £40m for Butland which the Reds are more than capable of paying.
The Merseyside outfit reckons that Butland’s experience in the Premier League could prove vital as they look to bridge the gap between themselves and the Manchester clubs in the coming years.
The five-time European champions are currently sitting in the 4th position in the Premier League table after suffering a bitter 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday. Klopp’s Liverpool find themselves just above Chelsea, who are in fifth place, just four points behind the Reds.
However, the Anfield-based team are 18 points behind league leaders Manchester City going into the final quarter of the campaign. The addition of Butland will undoubtedly bolster Jurgen Klopp’s goalkeeping options ahead of the new campaign. Liverpool have the likes of Loris Karius, Simon Mignolet and Danny Ward vying for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team. However, all of them have struggled to find consistency in goal for the Reds. The current form of Karius suggests that Klopp might bring in Butland to add depth and provide competition for places in his squad.
Butland has featured in 27 matches for the Potters this season, conceding 49 goals and keeping 5 clean sheets in all competitions. He also has six international caps for England during the course of his career. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Butland and whether he ends up making a switch to Anfield in the near future.
