Chelsea will reportedly make Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland their top target if Thibaut Courtois leaves to join Real Madrid.
Butland played for the Potters in their first game of the Championship season as Gary Rowett’s men were beaten 3-1 by Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was part of England’s World Cup squad in Russia but acted as an understudy to Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford.
Courtois continues to be linked with a move to the Spanish capital and has even gone AWOL in a bid to force through a switch away from Stamford Bridge.
And should he leave, the Blues will make Butland their No.1 target, according to Sky Sports.
Chelsea had pondered a swoop for Pickford but Everton made it clear they would not sell their goalkeeper.
Jan Oblak is another potential replacement for Courtois, with reports in Spain suggesting Chelsea could be ready to pay his £89million release clause.
Chelsea and Stoke have reportedly already been in contact with the Potters willing to let Butland leave for a fee in the region of £30million.
But they seemingly want a quick sale in order to sign a replacement themselves, and would command a bigger price the closer it gets to Thursday’s 5pm deadline.
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