Watford join the race for Stoke City goalkeeper

Watford have joined the race for Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The Potters will face a battle to hold onto their ‘keeper this summer, as per a report by StokeOnTrent Live.

, Watford join the race for Stoke City goalkeeper — Bet365 Stadium. Picture by Graham Holt.

AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move recently but will have to see off interest from Premier League rivals Watford if they are to land him.

The Hornets, who have reached this year’s FA Cup Final, will be in the hunt for a new goalkeeper this summer and Butland could fit the bill for them.

Butland, who is 25-years-old, has eight caps for England and was at the World Cup in Russia last summer. He has played for Stoke since 2013 and has played over 100 times for them.

He started his career at Birmingham City and broke into their first-team in the 2012/13 season after impressing out on loan in League Two with Cheltenham Town.

Stoke paid around £3.5 million to lure him to the Premier League. He then had loan stints at Birmingham, Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County before establishing himself as their first choice ‘keeper.

Many were surprised that he stayed at the Bet365 Stadium this season after Stoke’s relegation from the Premier League in the last campaign. It has been a tough season for the Potters in the Championship and it doesn’t appear likely that Butland will be sticking around for another.

Will it be Bournemouth, Crystal Palace or Watford who sign him?