Butland could well be on his way to Real Sociedad.
Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has emerged as a surprise loan target for La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad as Asmir Begovic keeps his No.1 spot, reports the Mirror.
Butland was signed at the Britannia Stadium for £3.3m back in January, but was immediately loaned back to his boyhood club Birmingham City.
Following another good season for Stoke Begovic is unlikely to be losing his spot between the posts any time soon, therefore leaving Butland with little playing opportunities if he stays.
Therefore the ‘keeper’s agent Gary Mellor has been looking for other avenues for his client.
“When I was in Barcelona a couple of Spanish clubs wanted to talk to me about taking Jack,” Mellor admitted.
“We have to weigh up all possibilities and I have to keep him playing. So if Asmir is still here on September 2, I’m hopeful that Jack isn’t. I don’t see him sitting on the bench at Stoke City.
“I have to keep Jack playing so his international ambitions are on track and he continues to develop.”
Sociedad could offer the 20-year-old first team football and not only that, but also top European football as the club finished fourth in the Spanish top tier in 2012/13 and therefore have qualified for the Champions League.
Butland would have the opportunity to come up against some of the best teams in the world if the young ‘keeper made the switch to Spain and would also gain valuable experience in what is considered to be the hub of world football currently.
The youngster has had an impressive career to date, breaking into the Birmingham first team squad in 2011, before impressing during two spells with League Two side Cheltenham Town.
After that Butland came into the Blues side and was also linked with a move to Chelsea, before eventually choosing Stoke as the ‘keeper believed he would have more opportunities with the Potters.
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