Jack Butland during his time at Stoke. (Getty Images)
According to a report in Stoke Sentinel (h/t Times), Premier League side Bournemouth are hoping to use Asmir Begovic as a makeweight in their bid to sign Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland.
As per the report, the Potters are insisting on a fee of around £30m for the England international, who replaced Begovic as their number one when the Bosnian left for Chelsea back in 2015 (h/t Stoke Sentinal).
Bournemouth paid a similar amount to sign Jefferson Lerma last summer, however, Eddie Howe is looking to add Begovic and reduce the original transfer fee (h/t Stoke Sentinal).
Butland still has two years left in his contract at the Bet365 stadium, hence, Stoke are in a strong position to hold out for a sizeable fee.
While it looks unlikely that the Championship side may opt for this player-plus-cash deal (h/t Stoke Sentinal), here’s why Bournemouth should do everything to get this done:
Currently, Bournemouth have Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic as their goalkeeping options.
While the former is now 39 years old and his contract runs out this summer, the latter hasn’t been the first choice for Eddie Howe in his team selections.
Hence, the Cherries are in a situation where they have to buy a goalkeeper come what may. For that reason, they are going in the right path by offering Begovic in a makeweight deal to sign Jack Butland.
The England international is one of the better stoppers around in the country. It is clear that he is a proper Premier League player who is playing in the Championship due to his club’s circumstances. Thus, if an offer comes from Bournemouth, he shouldn’t turn it down.
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Therefore, if we look at perspectives from the player and his possible destination club, both parties would be happy with this deal.
Stoke City might get a slacker outcome but that has nothing to do with the Cherries. Eddie Howe’s men must do everything to make this deal happen.
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