Butland to Return to the Premier League
Jack Butland is a current member of the England squad. He was part of the group which went to Russia for the World Cup although he is not the number one for his country. Still, Butland remains an important member of the squad, despite playing his football in the Championship.
However, that could be about to change this summer as the goalkeeper has been linked with a move away from current club, Stoke City.
Stoke have recently signed Adam Davies from Barnsley and he will join the club once his contract expires. Davies was the club captain and Barnsley’s first choice goalkeeper, so he is unlikely to be leaving if it means a place on the substitutes bench.
That has sparked rumours Butland could be on his way out of Stoke City this summer but where will he be playing his football next season?
Aston Villa
Aston Villa won promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs and have not been shy of adding to their squad already this summer. The club have completed the singings of Kortney Hause, Anwar El Ghazi and Wesley, the latter of which cost over £20 million from Club Brugge in Belgium.
However, many fans feel the club need to sign a new goalkeeper if they are to have any chance of staying up next season and Butland fits the bill. He has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League and international level yet is still only 26 years old.
A move for Butland is also unlikely to break the bank and Aston Villa are the 1/4 favourites with Coral to sign Butland before the close of the summer transfer window.
Bournemouth
The goalkeeping situation at Bournemouth is interesting. They have Asmir Begovic who was signed in anticipation of being the number one at the Vitality Stadium for many years to come but the move has not worked out. An apparent falling out between him and Eddie Howe means Begovic could be on his way out of the club this summer.
Artur Boruc played some games for Bournemouth last season but at 39 years of age, his time at the top of the game is coming to an end. The Cherries have young Mark Travers who made a promising debut in the Premier League last season but Eddie Howe will be keen to sign a regular first choice keeper for next season.
Butland is an interesting option for Howe and he is 3/1 with Ladbrokes to join Bournemouth this summer.
With other clubs including Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton out at 25/1, it appears it will come down to a race between Aston Villa and Bournemouth for the services of Butland.