Belgian champions Royal Antwerp will not stand in Jean Butez’s way if Burnley offer the goalkeeper the chance to make his mark in the Premier League.
Actions speak louder than words, of course.
And, with Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri reporting that Burnley are stepping up their pursuit of Jupiler League-winning shot-stopper Jean Butez, time will tell whether Antwerp’s CEO is as good as his promise.
“Jean had his best season ever,” Sven Jaecques tells Gazet van Antwerpen .
“At the age of 28, he has reached a good age to make a transfer. And (he has) already indicated that he wants to take the next step.
“If that opportunity comes, we will not block Jean. Provided that the right price is offered.”
Burnley turn to Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez
What Jaecques considers to be the ‘right price’ remains to be seen.
Tavolieri reports that Burnley are set to make an opening bid for the Frenchman this week, though he does not share how much the Clarets are willing to pay.
Butez should, at least, come a little cheaper than Anderlecht’s Bart Verbruggen.
Vincent Kompany’s number one goalkeeping target – the Burnley boss handed Verbruggen his senior debut at Anderlecht – the 20-year-old is set to join top-flight rivals Brighton and Hove Albion instead for a fee in the region of £17 million.
Verbruggen was outstanding in the second half of last term, but not quite as impressive as Butez. No one managed more than his 20 clean sheets; Butez laying the foundations for Royal Antwerp’s first Jupiler League triumph since 1957.
“Butez is by far the best goalkeeper in the Belgian league,” says Hein Vanhaezebrouch, manager of Antwerp’s rivals KAA Gent. “He is the most proactive ‘keeper on our fields. He does things that others don’t do and always anticipates in the right way.”
Butez, meanwhile, has spoken openly about his desire for a fresh start. Preferably, in one of Europe’s major leagues.
Should Butez go the way of Verbruggen, Burnley could turn to FC Copenhagen’s former Liverpool youngster Kamil Grabara.
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