Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland is keen on a move to Liverpool in the summer after being linked to Chelsea as a potential replacement to Thibaut Courtois.

The 24-year-old is one of the most highly-rated shot stoppers in the Premier League and is already a full England international.

football.london understand that he is eager to join the Reds as the next piece in the puzzle for Jurgen Klopp in defence following the world record signing of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.

The Potters are likely to demand a fee of more than £30million to set a new benchmark in excess of what Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford back in June.

(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

However, he is not believed to be the top target to replace Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet at Anfield.

In 2015, Chelsea signed Asmir Begovic from Stoke as their new number two in the pecking order behind Courtois following the sale of Petr Cech to Arsenal. The Gunners have also been linked with Butland in the recent past.

Antonio Conte welcomed former Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero to Stamford Bridge in the summer on a free transfer. The experienced Eduardo is the current third choice option in the first team squad.

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Chelsea have a number of promising young goalkeepers on their books at present with Jamal Blackman out on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship and Bradley Collins and Nathan Baxter away playing in the lower divisions.

The Blues will have to wait until the end of the season to discuss a new contract with Courtois after the Belgian put talks on hold until the summer.

It is understood that he wants a deal to close the gap with Manchester United’s David De Gea who earns £200,000 a week at Old Trafford and is also concerned about the number of games he is expected to play in England and living apart from his young family in Madrid.

(Image: LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)

Butland has long been picked out as a potential successor to Joe Hart in the England squad. Only injury has slowed his progress for club and country over the last year with the 24-year-old having often impressed in an England shirt when granted the opportunity to play by Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate.

Liverpool have been roundly criticised for his struggles to hold onto leads and see games out under Klopp and have the second-worst record for goals conceded among the Premier League’s so-called ‘big six’ this season.

Only Manchester City have let in fewer goals than Chelsea who currently sit third in the table.

Who would you like to see Chelsea sign if Courtois doesn't sign a new contract? Let us know in the comments below.