Aston Villa have been searching across Europe for a new goalkeeper, with a number of players touted to move to the club following their promotion to the Premier League.
Aston Villa target Jack Butland might be forced to stay in the Championship, and with Stoke City, according to a report.
The Sun have claimed that Bournemouth, Sheffield United, and Aston Villa have been keen on Buland’s services, but they could now look elsewhere for a new shot-stopper.
It is said in Villa’s case they have an eye on more affordable targets, with Dean Smith wanting to bring in Burnley’s man between the sticks Tom Heaton.
Added with that, it states that Stoke are demanding £23 million for Butland, with Villa seemingly looking for much more quality in their goalkeeping department following promotion.
From the Villa supporters perspective, they would be more keen on trying to purchase that best pound for pound signing, and someone like Heaton falls into that category, but Butland does not because of his price-tag.
Butland is number two to Jordan Pickford for England, as another season in the Championship will surely dent his chances of maintaining that status.
But if he were to make a switch to the Premier League in the summer than he could more than fight Pickford for the number one jersey.
What could further persuade him to make a move, and even take a financial hit along the way is the fact that the 2020 European Championships are taking place next summer, and Butland wouldn’t want to lose his place at the last hurdle.
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