Chelsea could end up signing Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland after odds plummeted on the Blues making a move for the Englishman. Butland was relegated with the Potters last season and has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Liverpool.
However, the Express claims that odds for the Blues signing Butland have been cut to 3/1 while Liverpool are still the favourites to land the England World Cup keeper at 4/6.
One factor that would play its part is Liverpool reportedly willing to stick with Loris Karius next season and play him as their No.1. The German did make a couple of mistakes in the Champions League final but Liverpool’s decision could be our gain.
West Ham United, Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested in Butland and Alex Apati of Ladbrokes (h/t Express) believes the English keeper could be a part of a slew of changes in that position across leagues.
“It looks as though we’re set for a goalkeeper merry-go-round this summer, with Butland now expected to leave Stoke for Chelsea to replace Madrid-bound Courtois.”
Losing Courtois would be a major blow for us but Butland would be a cheap alternative to the Belgian keeper.
It does seem that these deals will only take place once the players return from the World Cup and with England and Belgium both in action in the quarter-finals, the prices of both keepers could go high if they perform well for their respective countries.