According to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland looks set to leave Selhurst Park this summer.
The Eagles have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Sam Johnstone who was a free agent after his contract ran out at West Bromwich Albion and it is believed that the England international will challenge Vicente Guaita for the Palace number 1 shirt at Selhurst Park next term, which means Butland faces an uncertain future ahead.
Reports over the last month has suggested that the former Stoke City shot-stopper is attracting interest from the likes of Bournemouth and Glasgow Rangers, with Sky Bet Championship outfit Middlesborough also in the frame for his signature.
And Barclay believes the 29-year-old goalkeeper looks increasingly likely to depart South London in the coming weeks.
He told GIVEMESPORT:
“I imagine if he can find a suitable destination, Jack Butland will probably leave this summer. I think he wants to be a number one again; he got a taste for it at times last season.
“But Butland’s had such a strange career because he was playing for England and touted for moves to the likes of Liverpool, and then his form struggled as Stoke got relegated, and it feels like people sort of wrote him off and had moved on from expecting much from him.”
TIF thoughts on Barclay’s comments…
Indeed, the Bristol-born goalkeeper’s career has somewhat stalled incredibly over the past few years after previously being touted as one of the countries brightest young shot-stoppers earlier on in his career.
His next move will have to be decided with much thought and consideration if he is to reach top levels again though, and it can be argued that time is on his side at the age of 29.
There’s no doubt that Butland is a talented goalkeeper, as he proved when called upon for Palace last term, registering three clean sheets in his 15 appearances, so he’ll be in no shortage of interested parties for his services this summer, clubs looking to give him a new lease of life elsewhere.