Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has been named as one of the players for whom Southampton could still make a move ahead of the domestic transfer deadline.
Butland has reportedly been attracting the attention of Premier League champions Liverpool as they search for a potential replacement for Adrian as the club’s backup ‘keeper. However, the Reds are no longer believed to be targeting a move for a new goalkeeper before Friday’s deadline, as per Liverpool Echo.
Southampton could offer Butland a Championship escape
Southampton could take advantage of Liverpool not being in the market for a new goalkeeper by moving for Butland. The Saints were linked with a potential move for the Englishman earlier in the summer window, with a potential swap deal involving Angus Gunn moving the other way having been considered, as per Football Insider.
Butland has lost his place as Stoke’s number one goalkeeper to Adam Davies and the nine-cap England international may feel the need to move away from the Potters to resurrect his career.
Meanwhile, Gunn has been left out of Southampton’s squad at the start of the Premier League season and is now third choice behind Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster after the latter’s return from a loan spell with Celtic. A swap deal between the two clubs could still be on the cards ahead of the deadline, as per Hampshire Live.
Jack Butland needs a move to resurrect his career
Southampton already have both McCarthy and Forster as their main options between the sticks, but Butland has shown before that he is a quality keeper when at his best. During the 2017/18 season when Stoke were relegated, he still averaged 4.1 saves per game and recorded six clean sheets (via Sofascore).
Those figures suggest that Butland still has plenty to offer in the top flight if he were to be given another chance at that level. The 27-year-old would provide another solid keeper for Ralph Hasenhuttl to have at his disposal, while allowing Gunn to exit on loan should help him get some much-needed game-time.
Saints fans, do you want to see Butland arrive before Friday’s deadline? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!
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