Ex-Arsenal Winger Urges Club To Sign Jack Butland

Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves believes the club should jump at the opportunity to signing Jack Butland from Stoke City when the season comes to a close. The England international recently witnessed the Potters’ relegation from the top-flight and he has since been heavily tipped to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere.

As such, Groves believes the Gunners should take him in a heartbeat after having progressed into one of England’s best shot-stoppers, he told Sportingbet: “I want Jack Butland to replace Petr Cech as Arsenal’s goalkeeper and I would take him in a heartbeat. I think he’s one of the best young goalkeepers in the country and he has a huge physical presence. Any goalkeeper that’s playing for Stoke will look vulnerable, but he would only improve at Arsenal. We would be able to get him for a good price once Stoke are relegated too.”

Butland has been susceptible to a couple of errors in the Stoke shirt but overall, his performances have been impressive with a side who have possessed the worst defensive record in the division. Arsenal is expected to pursue a new shot-stopper to replace veteran Cech during the summer but so far, Butland’s name has not propped up their radar with Liverpool deemed favourites.

According to reports, the former Birmingham graduate is supposedly said to favour a move to Anfield with Jurgen Klopp and their assurance of Champions League football puts them in pole position ahead of the Gunners. Nevertheless, any transfer decision is likely to be put on hold until after the World Cup with Butland keen to impress with the England national side.

Jordan Pickford and Butland earned the goalkeeping duties during the recent run of international friendlies but the latter is regarded as the favourite to take up the number one role when the World Cup begins in Russia next month. Gareth Southgate’s side begin their campaign against Panama.