Chelsea target Stoke City keeper to replace star custodian

London, November 28: Premier League holders Chelsea are set to reignite their interest in Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland as talks over extending Thibaut Courtois' contract continue to stall, according to reports.

The Belgian shot stopper's current deal expires in the summer of 2019, but is aware of interest from both Real Madrid and their cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid.

The Big Belgian will have just a year left on his deal at the end of the season and Chelsea may be forced to cash in or risk losing him for nothing.

And according to the English media, they have identified Stoke City keeper Jack Butland as a possible replacement of Courtois.

The 24-year-old was wanted by Chelsea while he was at Birmingham in 2013 but opted for the Potteries for a better chance at first team football.

He has since established himself to be one of the top keepers in the Premier League and now at the age of 24, he wants to take the next step in his career that is to play for a big club in Europe.

Stoke won't let him leave on the cheap and will look to sign Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to replace Butland if he leaves the club.

Right now, Butland is sidelined with a broken finger and will consider himself ahead of Pickford in the national team and is likely to be England’s number one in the World Cup in Russia.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is confident Xherdan Shaqiri and Jack Butland will not be looking to leave the club any time soon and has stressed any January attempts to lure either away will be rejected.