ANGUS GUNN has emerged as a loan target for Stoke – if Jack Butland leaves.
Stopper Gunn, 24, is hungry for game-time after falling down the pecking order at Southampton.
Stoke are targeting a loan move for Southampton keeper Angus GunnCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Potters will only move for the Saints stopper if Jack Butland leaves firstCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He was replaced as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first-choice by Alex McCarthy after shipping nine goals against Leicester last October.
And with the return from loan of Fraser Forster, Saints are looking to offload one of their back-up keepers.
That looks most likely to be former England Under-21 star Gunn, who is attracting interest from both home and abroad.
Stoke are keen but may have to offload Butland first.
The former Three Lions star, 27, is keen to leave the Potters after a difficult few years and only has 12 months remaining on his contract.
Last month it emerged Stoke would let Butland leave for £8m after previously slapping a £30m price tag on his head.
The Championship club were chasing mega-money less than two years ago after Butland travelled with England to the 2018 World Cup.
Stoke have already received enquiries for the nine-cap ace.
Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were linked with moves last summer but were put off by the Potters’ price-tag.
Butland was Stoke’s Player of the Year in his breakthrough Premier League season back in 2015/16.
But slow-recovery from a complicated ankle fracture while on England duty derailed his progress.
Butland was in the news for a series of blunders last season as Stoke eventually finished mid-table.
Michael O’Neill’s side are desperate to stop him walking away for nothing next year.
Butland’s agent Paul Stretford recently admitted a deal could happen sooner rather than later.
He told Sky Sports: “Talks have been ongoing with Stoke City for the past two years since Jack made it clear his preference was not to extend his existing contract.
“Last season there were some very interesting opportunities for Jack but, due to differing reasons, they did not materialise.
“Relations between Jack, the manager and the club remain in a good place and if we are able to find the right fit for Jack then I am confident that conditions are right for a deal to happen.”
He added: “[If no move materialises] either in the summer or next January’s window – Jack will stay with Stoke City until the end of his current contract at the end of next season.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
