Arsenal & Liverpool tail England goalkeeper’s £40m signature

Arsenal and Premier League rivals Liverpool will reportedly lock horns in the summer transfer window for Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland’s signature, as the two tailing parties are allegedly keen to revamp their respective options between the sticks for the 2018-19 campaign.

It’s said that the Potters value the England stopper at £40m, according to a report published by The Sun – a figure which may seem steep considering he’s an individual which is prone to injury, although given his underlying calibre, it’s certainly a sum which is justified by his imperious composure and reactions under pressure.

With Liverpool opting to field Loris Karius over Simon Mignolet, it’s believed that the Belgian keeper will seek a move in the summer to kick-start his faltering career away from Anfield, after holding talks with Jurgen Klopp in regards to his future at the Reds.

The Gunners on the other hand have an ageing Petr Cech as their preferred choice in the starting XI, and with the 36-year-old Czech international performing at a somewhat substandard, uncharacteristic level on occasions this term, the north-Londoners will undoubtedly want to acquire a keeper with time and hunger on his side, and Butland seemingly fits the bill perfectly.

Butland will presumably be motivated for a strong, accomplished end to the campaign with Stoke to ensure that he not only lays claim to a seat on the ‘Three Lions’ 2018 World Cup plane, but Gareth Southgate’s set-up’s No.1 jersey as the nation’s undisputed first choice stopper.

Fitness permitted, Butland is a keeper with an uncanny ability within his gloves, and if he’s able to exhibit his natural dexterity effectively behind Paul Lambert’s back four for the remainder of the domestic term, who knows where he may end up after the season has come to a close indefinitely.