Exclusive: Stoke plot move to sign Southampton player in January

Exclusive: Stoke plot move to sign Southampton player in January

Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Stoke City are plotting a move for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster should they lose Jack Butland in January, Football Insider sources understands.

Stoke are drawing up a list of replacements for England international Butland should any Premier League clubs come calling for the shot-stopper when the transfer window reopens in January.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Forster is interested in a move away from Southampton in January as he looks to kick-start his career again and Stoke are ready to offer him an escape route.

Forster has emerged on Stoke's radar after finding himself frozen out of the first-team picture at Southampton during the last 12 months.

The 30-year-old, who has not featured for the Saints in a matchday squad this season, is third-choice keeper at St Mary's behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn.

Butland's future was the subject of conjecture in the summer and although Stoke managed to keep hold of the highly-rated keeper they are bracing themselves for further interest in January leading them to consider their goalkeeping options.

www.footballinsider247.com