Premier League side Chelsea have now become the favourites to sign Stoke City star Jack Butland, according to odds given out by popular bookmakers Sky Bet.
The England international had been heavily linked with a move to Champions League finalists Liverpool for a number of weeks, but the Reds are now closing in on the signing of Roma and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.
This means that their interest in Butland will have died, making Chelsea the new favourites to secure his signature.
The Stamford Bridge club are preparing to lose first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois this summer, and they clearly see the Stoke City keeper as the perfect replacement.
The Blues have been given odds of 3/1 to sign Butland, with Liverpool dropping down to as low as 7/1.
Jack Butland’s future remains quite unclear as it stands. The 25-year-old has just returned from Russia, where he was part of the England squad that reached the FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals.
He will be expected to sit down and discuss his future in the coming days, and there is a very real possibility that he will remain at the Bet 365 Stadium.
The Potters were relegated from the Premier League last season, ending their ten year stay in the top flight. Despite the disappointment of relegation, Stoke are heavily fancied to earn promotion at the first time of asking.
Gary Rowett’s appointment has added a sense of optimism among the Stoke City fans, and there is a very real belief that they can achieve something this season.