Chelsea line up replacement for Courtois but club wants British-record transfer fee in return

Chelsea have lined up England’s World Cup squad member Jack Butland as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois should the Belgian leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

A report from Daily Mail claims that Stoke City would be looking for more than the £30million Everton paid for Jordan Pickford last season as the pair battle to be England’s No.1 at the World Cup.

The other keeper we have in mind seems to be Alisson of AS Roma but Liverpool are also interested in the 25-year-old Brazilian and that will lead to a bidding war in the summer.

There is also a doubt about how much we will have in our transfer kitty due to the problems with Roman Abramovich and his working relations in the UK. Hence, it is safe to rule out a move for Alisson.

Butland did have an impressive season with Stoke but could not stop them from getting relegated and that could help us in case the Englishman wants to continue playing Premier League football next season.

Stoke will listen to offers for the 25-year-old Englishman and hopefully, we will be able to beat the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United in bringing the keeper to Stamford Bridge.

The situation with Courtois is another issue that we have to worry about as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are interested in the Belgian.

Butland played 35 games in the Premier League for Stoke last season and even made one appearance in the FA Cup. The Englishman started his professional career with Birmingham City before a loan spell at Cheltenham Town culminated in him moving to Stoke in 2013.

The 25-year-old then went out on loan to Leeds United, Barnsley, Derby County and Birmingham again before he became the No.1 at Stoke.

While Butland is not of the same calibre as Courtois, he would be a decent signing. He is a player that has loads of potential.