Saints are being reported as being interested in signing Stoke City's Jack Butland, but are believed to be interested in a swap deal involving one of the 3 keeper's currently on the St Mary's roster.

Butland is valued at around £8-10 million and although his stock is not as high as it was a couple of years ago prior to Stoke's relegation, at 27 he is approaching his peak as a keeper and he needs to get back into the Premier League if he is to recapture his former glory.

Saints are said to be looking to do a swap deal, but which of their current keeper's would they want to see go, none of the three have been totally convincing of late, so it seems Stoke could take their choice.

The Times reckon that it could be Angus Gunn who Saints would look to trade in a straight swap for Butland, although that would mean Saints losing around £4 million on the fee that they paid Manchester City two years ago, of the three Gunn is perhaps the most likely long term option going forward for Saints.

But Fraser Forster is perhaps the man they would most like to get off the books or at least his wages, if a deal could be done involving Forster whose stock has risen after his season at Celtic, then this might tempt Saints more.

The third option is to make Alex McCarthy part of the deal, he played the second half of the season and although at times he was up to the job, too often he would make an error and that hasn't gone unnoticed by Saints who do not seem to see him as a long term solution and at 30 he is not going to get any better. There is also the little matter that he would be valued at less than Butland so that would mean Saints finding some cash on top to facilitate the transfer.

Jack Butland would be a good move for Saints and one of the three current keepers forming part of the deal would mean Saints would not have to pay out big money for a player who is established Premier League level and has the desire to get back there.

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PatfromPoole added 22:33 - Aug 20 I’m not convinced it would be a great move for Butland. He’d be better off at Leeds or Villa, both properly big clubs where he would probably be first choice.
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ElijahK added 23:20 - Aug 20 I don’t see why we’d do this!? I mean MacCarthy was a bit inconsistent last season, at at first (when he started just after Christmas) but he’s gotten better and better as the season gone on. So we wouldn’t be playing him as our number 1 and why we’d want Butland (who’s 27 and is decent) over Gunn (who’s 24) doesn’t make sense as he’s older and Gunn does have potential and if we can get him comfortable under Hasenhüttl’s ways the he should be a decent replacement for MacCarthy when his age gets to him! I mean I don’t see why we’re going for this as if we were going for a keeper then it would be our number 1 and if not there’s no point as we’ve got a decent substitute goalie who’s quite young and could turn out decent! I mean either buy a really good number 1 keeper (which isn’t something we’re desperate for at the moment, as we need central midfielders and many more positions, more than we need a new goalkeeper!) or just don’t buy one at all is what I say.

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Billeewithers added 04:00 - Aug 21 But land looks a very good prospect. His dip may be playing in front of a weak defence. He is voluble .... looks to talk to his defence. Hoe dominates his area ..... though maybe could do more here. He is excellent one on one. Very good concentration, great reflexes. Covers his goal well. As a personality he is much more active and involved ... looking to push his team forward. I would have him and for sake any of the three we have to make this deal. A player who would improve greatly in our environment and could play at international level again

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the_saint added 08:05 - Aug 21 Didn't fraser have a week defence in front of him maybe he will be good with a better defence now being formed
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underweststand added 08:22 - Aug 21 I recall that Saints tried to sign Butland in 2012 and we failed and ended up Gazzaniga (!) Young keepers struggle and Gunn is no exception. If we sign Butland be will be a good backup or alternative för McCarthy...Forster will not. If we loan out Gunn he may develop and return a better player in a year or two. Above comments about weak defences are true but at the end of the day goals conceded always reflect against the keeper.

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the_saint added 08:55 - Aug 21 In an ideal world you would swap fraser for butland keep McCarthy as no 2 while gunn gets a good two seasons on loan
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highfield49 added 09:10 - Aug 21 I believe Butland's contract expires next summer so the indication is that he isn't putting pen to paper at Stoke. Although it's always difficult to guess how much a rumoured signing could contribute, e.g. Welbeck, I don't see Butland as a particular risk, he's a decent goalkeeper. In my view McCarthy is the most likely to move on as he has nothing left to offer other than his erratic performances. The old saying about a strong spine through the centre of the team looks to be coming together. Ings up front, new central defender signed, ongoing search for PEH replacement and a competent goalkeeper. Things are definitely looking up, trust the manager he knows what he needs.

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Daisy_cutter added 10:17 - Aug 21 Hey if we believe in what the papers say we will have a team of has-beens before the season starts
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SaintBrock added 13:03 - Aug 23 What in heavens name do we need this old fart for? We have enough already. Don't write off Gunn just yet.
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