Transfer Centre

Aston Villa 'end interest in Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland'

By Ben Miller | 08 July 2019

Newly-promoted Aston Villa reportedly end their interest in Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland after being put off by the Potters' £25m asking price.

Aston Villa have been priced out of a £25m move for Stoke City's former England goalkeeper Jack Butland, according to a report.

Villa boss Dean Smith has been keen to bolster his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League, but is said to have been deterred by City's valuation of their current player of the season.

Butland has nine England caps but has not turned out for the national side since 2018, and he is believed to be targeting a move back to the Premier League in order to improve his international prospects.

Sky Sports News reports that Villa are pursuing a new stopper but are not prepared to meet his asking price at the Potters, who have their own designs on a path back to the top flight following a promising end to the 2018-19 Championship season under new manager Nathan Jones.

Butland has two years left on his contract at Stoke, where he has made 122 appearances since joining from Birmingham City in 2013.

The 26-year-old was ruled out of Euro 2016 with a fractured ankle but returned to become part of the England squad that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia.

Smith is keen to improve his side's defensive qualities as his playoff-winning squad looks to secure safety in the Premier League, and has signed Tyrone Mings in a £20m switch from Bournemouth.