Stoke City boss Gary Rowett has said that he expect Chelsea target Jack Butland to stay at the club this summer.
Chelsea have been linked with Butland as they plan for life after Thibaut Courtois, who is expected to sign for Real Madrid.
Courtois has one year left on his Chelsea contract and has been unable to negotiate a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
This has left Chelsea with the task of finding a new number one and Butland’s name has cropped up several times.
The England international has impressed for Stoke in recent seasons, despite their relegation to the Championship this year.
Speaking to The Mirror, Rowett said this:
I expect him to stay, I hope he stays. I’m also pragmatic enough to know it’s football and anything can happen in the last few days of the window.
I imagine he would be the type of player who some teams would covet. I’m a realist but I hope he’s still here.
I can only react and answer what’s in front of me. The answer is we haven’t had an offer which the club feel is financially viable – or I don’t think any strong offer yet.
Jack has never made any real moves to want to leave and he’s contracted to us and we’re not even a week away from the first game.
Chelsea have also been linked with Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford, who was impressive at the World Cup for England.
