English Premier League duo Aston Villa and West Ham United are both interested in a permanent move for Rangers number one Jack Butland ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
The goalkeeper has been attracting interest from the sides after an impressive return to form in the early matches of the new season.
The former England international was dropped for second choice Liam Kelly at the tail end of last season after repeated errors that contributed to Rangers rotten record of conceding two goals per game under former interim boss Barry Ferguson.
However, since returning for pre-season Butland looks back to his best, and despite Rangers conceding six goals away to Brugge and only keeping one clean sheet in their opening four William Hill Premiership games, he has been in great shot stopping form.
But new head coach Russell Martin is looking for a goalkeeper more renowned for their ball playing abilities, and able to come deep out of their area to match his desired style of play, something that is not the former Manchester United keeper’s forte.
Aston Villa have had a long term interest in Butland, with Emiliano Martinez set to join rivals Manchester United today, they will be searching for a goalkeeper to compete with new signing Marco Bizot ahead of the new season.
They view Butland as an experienced campaigner able to fill the gap of the departing Argentine World Cup winner.
Rangers outcast poised to depart for shock destination
Rangers loan out summer signing after disappointing start to season
Rangers cool on €10m forward with Chermiti set to sign
Under pressure Hammers’ boss Graham Potter is desperately in need of another goalkeeper, the London based club lost experienced Polish stopper Łukasz Fabiański in the summer, replacing him with ex-Leicester City keeper Mads Hermansen in a £20m deal.
The Danish keeper conceded 60 goals in just 28 games for the Foxes as they were relegated to the EFL Championship last campaign, despite a clean sheet at the weekend as West Ham defeated Nottingham Forest, he has conceded 8 in his other two games for his new club.
Butland will come in to compete with the struggling keeper and Frenchman Alphonse Areola should the deal be completed. With Butland filling a home-grown slot for their Premier League campaign.
Rangers would look for a fee of over £10m for the former Stoke City man, with dropped Leeds Championship title winner Illan Meslier tipped to replace him at Ibrox should he depart before the deadline tonight.