Aston Villa’s most expensive player was Darren Bent, who was signed for £18 million, but they may well now break that on Jack Butland.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa want to sign Jack Butland from Stoke City.
Dean Smith’s side have earned promotion to the top tier, and one of Villa’s main priorities is to sign a new number one.
Although Lovre Kalinic was brought in during the January transfer window, injury has disrupted his progress at Villa.
Jed Steer became Smith’s side’s number one towards the back end of last season, but there is a feeling around Villa that he could be upgraded.
The claret and blues are now said to be willing to pay £20 million for Butland, with a bid expected to be launched for the Stoke goalkeeper soon.
Butland would be a smart signing for Villa, as he remains one of the finest English goalkeepers.
The shot-stopper is England’s second choice stopper and he enjoyed a fine season in the Championship for Stoke.
Butland would be a big improvement on what Villa already have, and if Smith’s side brought him it would be a very ambitious move.
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