Arsenal Join Liverpool In Race For England Stopper

With the January transfer window now open for business we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, Arsenal are linked with Liverpool target Jack Butland.

Arsenal have joined Liverpool in showing interest in Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland, according to the Daily Star.

The report claims that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants to bring in a new goalkeeper to challenge first choice stopper Wojciech Szczesny at the Emirates.

The Star suggest the Frenchman would prefer to sign a more experienced name but has been keeping a close eye on Butland and has been alerted to the fact Birmingham may be forced to sell their star man this month to ease their financial problems.

Butland has become one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in the country after establishing himself as Birmingham’s No.1. His impressive form has seen him break into the England national team – making his debut against Italy last year – while he was also named in Roy Hodgson’s 25-man squad for the 2012 European championship’s.

The Star claim the likes of  Everton and Liverpool have also shown an interest in the 19-year-old, with Birmingham said to have rejected £6m bids from Fulham and Southampton in the summer.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

Butland is no doubt a huge talent but would he get regular games if he was to move to either Arsenal or Liverpool? Szczesny has established himself as No.1 at Arsenal and at 22-years-old, the Pole isn’t going to take kindly to being benched after two years between the sticks at the Emirates.

At Liverpool, he would have Pepe Reina to contend with, unless Brendan Rodgers decides to sell the Spaniard – which would surely be a questionable decision? After a difficult start to the season, Reina looks to be getting back to his best and it would be a bold move to replace him with a 19-year-old who’s untested at the top level.

So if Butland moves to north London or Merseyside, he’s likely to be regarded as a No.2. A young talent like him needs to learn his trade and the best way to do that is by playing games. Personally, I don’t think Butland should move to either Arsenal or Liverpool at this time in his career unless he’s got assurances he’ll play regularly, which I don’t see happening.

Would you like to see Butland at your club? Get involved in the comments section below.