Liverpool are set to offload Simon Mignolet in the summer and are hopeful of signing Stoke City’s Jack Butland as a replacement goalkeeper, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claims that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp want to improve his options in goal over the summer and has identified Butland as a priority.
It is understood the Merseyside club are confident of securing a £40million deal for the English shot-stopper and are “closing in” on the potential move.
The report details that Liverpool have been given a boost as the 24-year-old is keen on a move to Anfield to work with Klopp.
Liverpool aim to make Butland their number one and have Loris Karius as his understudy, while 30-year-old Mignolet will be shown the exit doors.
Good move for Liverpool?
Karius has improved of late for Liverpool given a regular run of starts, but they should still sign a world-class goalkeeper if one becomes available.
Butland is not yet the finished article and in truth has endured a frustrating season for a Stoke team battling relegation.
However, the goalkeeper definitely has potential and could be the England number one option at the summer’s World Cup.
The £40million price tag is quite steep, but he has room for improvement and has Premier League experience under his belt.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
It seems like Butland will be on the move if Stoke drop down to the Championship and has been linked with a big-money move for quite a while.
Liverpool’s goalkeeping problem has been well documented in the past couple of years and it would be no surprise to see them try fix the position with some big spending in the summer.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10