New Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas is on the lookout for a long-term replacement for 41-year old first-choice goalkeeper Brad Friedel, and is considering a £7 million move for England Under-21 international Jack Butland.
The 19-year old custodian, who is currently plying his trade for Birmingham City, is seen by many as England’s second-best goalkeeping talent after Joe Hart, and has been monitored by numerous Premier League clubs in recent years.
That has led to an increased speculation over the teenager’s impending exit this summer, with the Blues already rejecting a £6 million bid for Butland from Southampton.
However, they are unlikely to keep hold of the keeper for much longer, with Villas-Boas intent on claiming the services of the keeper.
What the Portuguese manager also believes will work in his favour is the fact that the Spurs are ready to loan Butland back to Birmingham for another season after signing him, seeing him more as a prospect for the future rather than an immediate replacement for the extremely solid Friedel.
Spurs are also keeping tabs of Hugo Lloris’ situation at Lyon, but with the Ligue 1 keeper available for more than double of what they are planning to pay for Butland and Arsenal also said to be showing a keen interest in the 25-year old, Villas-Boas is said to be considering alternatives for the French international.
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