Aston Villa are readying a £20million bid this week for Stoke keeper Jack Butland, according to the Sun.
Stoke want £23million, a fee that has made Bournemouth and Crystal Palace back-off, but Dean Smith is said to be “determined” to land a quality keeper.
Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have the clout to pull the move off and will bid £20million for the 6ft 5in England back-up in the next few days.
That would smash the previous record fee of £18million paid for Darren Bent in 2011.
A good move for Aston Villa?
Villa have struggled with the goalkeeper position and £5million signing Lovre Kalinic had to settle for a place on the bench in the run-in last season, with Smith preferring Jed Steer instead. Butland is a quality keeper who is the back-up to England number one Jordon Pickford and at 26 has plenty of years left in the tank. We think this would be a safe move for Smith and at £20million he’s probably the best they could get if they want a goalie who’s tried and tested in the Premier League.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Stoke are said to want £23million and Aston Villa are going in with an opening offer of £20million. That’s not too far apart in the scheme of things and with Smith said to be determined to bring in a top quality keeper, we can see this one getting done with a second improved offer.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10