According to reports from Sky Sports, Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has dismissed reports linking him with Premier League duo Liverpool and Manchester United.
The 22-year-old became the Potters’ No.1 at the start of the season following Asmir Begovic’s departure to Chelsea
and has adequately filled the void, recording the third-most saves of any Premier League goalkeeper, 47, and keeping six clean sheets in 15 starts.
Having been earmarked as a future leading entity in world football since representing Team GB at the London Olympics and making his England debut just a matter of months later, when he was still just 19 years of age, Butland is quickly coming good on his much-heralded potential.
Over the last few weeks, that has seen him linked with Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United, with the tabloids mooting potential bids around the £20million mark.
But the three-cap international has insisted that he’s more than happy with life at the Britannia Stadium – although playing regular Champions League football remains one of his career objectives.
As quoted by Sky Sports, Butland said; “It [playing Champions League football] has always been a target of mine. I do want to play at the top. But at the minute, I can’t fault where I am. I am in a brilliant squad who are playing extremely well and things are looking bright for the club.
“Right now I can’t see any better place for me to be. I am learning every week and I am playing with some great players. The goalie coach I am really happy with and learning a lot from the staff as well. Personally, I am very comfortable and very happy where I am. I believe that we can do some really good things at Stoke so that is where my whole focus is at the minute.
“Anything beyond that is purely speculation and rumours. It is obviously wonderful to be linked with a club with the history of Liverpool. But this is where I am. I am still really proud of the team for the performance at the weekend and it is something I am really proud of being a part of.”
Stoke beat Premier League title favourites Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday, with many dubbing it the greatest performance in the club’s history.