Arsenal have received a ‘hands-off’ warning from Stoke City regarding in-demand goalkeeper Jack Butland, the Stoke Sentinal reports.
The English goalkeeper has played very well for the Potters this season, despite only playing five games, after fracturing his ankle on international duty in Germany back in March 2016.
The injury hindered his progress and availability, however, he returned for the final few games of 2016/17 campaign, and put in some gutsy performances, most noticeably against Southampton on the final day, where he kept Stoke in the game and helped them pull off a 1-0 victory with a string of fine saves.
The Gunners reportedly want to sign Butland, with the aim of the England international being the club’s long-term replacement for 35-year-old veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech.
However, Stoke have no plans to sell the 24-year-old, with Potters manager Mark Hughes seeing him as a key player, despite Lee Grant’s impressive performances this season.
With game-time certainly secure at the Bet365 Stadium, and a World Cup on the horizon, Butland will know that his chances of making that squad will strengthen if he remains a Stoke player, and if the Potters do retain him for another season, they could reap financial rewards next summer, when Butlands price-tag could potentially skyrocket if he avoids any further serious injuries.
