Butland linked with move to Spain

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland will assess interest from Spain according to his agent Gary Mellor.

The 20-year-old England international made the move to the Britannia Stadium from Birmingham City in January but was loaned immediately back to the Championship outfit.

He made the switch after turning down offers from top-four teams including Chelsea but is reportedly concerned about the lack of first-team football with first-choice option Asmir Begovic likely to remain in place.

With it now seeming fairly likely that Butland will go out on loan again, his agent has revealed that they will look at all options.

“If Asmir does go it means Stoke have got somebody for the future. It might not be this season, it could be the season after,” Mellor told 6 Towns Radio.

“When I was in Barcelona a couple of Spanish clubs wanted to talk to me about taking Jack.

“We have to weigh up all possibilities and I have to keep him playing so if Asmir is still here on September 2 I’m hopeful that Jack isn’t. I don’t see him sitting on the bench at Stoke City.

“Mark Hughes might see that differently and that’s when Stoke and I do have issues. I have to keep Jack playing so that his international ambitions are on track and he continues to develop.

“There’s nothing like actual games to help you develop, especially as a young goalkeeper.”

The 20-year-old has represented England at all levels from Under-16 and made his first senior debut against Italy in 2012 becoming the youngest keeper to play for the country.