Chelsea have earmarked Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois this summer, claims The Daily Mail.
Courtois’ existing Chelsea deal is due to expire at the end of next season and is unlikely to renew with the club.
Chelsea will be forced to cash in on the Belgium international if he fails to agree new terms before the start of next season, with Real Madrid long-term admirers.
Antonio Conte’s side have already been linked with a move for Liverpool target Alisson, but the Roma goalkeeper will cost in excess of £75m.
Chelsea’s future is currently uncertain after Roman Abramovich pulled the plug on the club’s £1bn redevelopment plans.
Chelsea have been told to spend big in the summer by some of their star players but it remains to be seen whether the funds will be available after Abramovich was declined a new UK visa.
While Abramovich is still fully committed to the club, it may still force Chelsea to consider alternatives in key positions and Butland would represent a significantly cheaper transfer target than Alisson.
Butland is expected to leave Stoke this summer after the Potters were relegated from the Premier League last season. The England international made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper during the 2017/18 campaign (142).
