Stoke keeper to replace Courtois

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is keen to snap up Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland who has today (Monday) been propelled to the top of the club’s transfer target list.

Current Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois continues to be hotly linked with a return to Spain with Real Madrid, and could be set for a blockbuster switch in the next few days.

Courtois met with the Chelsea coach on Monday following his return from the World Cup, and informed the Italian that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge after four seasons between the sticks – he joined the club in 2011 but was instantly loaned out to Atletico Madrid, before returning in 2014.

Chelsea were previously keen on signing Everton and England No.1 Jack Butland and Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel, however Sky Sports News now reports that Sarri is preparing a bid for Butland, who joined Stoke from Birmingham back in 2013.

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Stoke, who were relegated from the Premier League last term, headed into the 2018/19 Championship campaign as the ante-post favourites for promotion, before then losing out 3-1 to Leeds in their opening match on Sunday.

Butland, who was linked with Liverpool earlier this summer, had a game to forget against the Whites but would now no doubt jump at the chance to return to the top-flight with Chelsea, ahead of Thursday’s 5pm closing of the transfer window.

The Blues kick-off their Premier League campaign away to David Wagner’s Huddersfield on Saturday and can currently be backed out at 14/1 to win the Premier League title.