As reported by The Sun, Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in signing Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland in the upcoming summer transfer window.

What's the story?

At 35 years of age, Petr Cech is approaching the end of his career and has just a further season left on his contract at Arsenal. The goalkeeper has been far from convincing at the Emirates so far this season and it's time for Arsene Wenger to think about his long-term replacement.

One contender is Stoke City shot-stopper Jack Butland.

That's according to The Sun, who say that the Gunners are in a race to sign the £40m-rated England international with Liverpool, who have goalkeeping problems of their own.

The paper say the two clubs will go head-to-head for his signature this summer.

Is he the answer for Arsenal?

Stoke City may have conceded more goals than any other side in the English Premier League this season, but Butland is still seen as an elite prospect who at 24 years of age is still something of a youngster as goalkeepers go.

His best season so far came in 2015/16 when he kept an impressive 10 clean sheets for Stoke, conceding just 37 goals in 31 appearances.

He is capable of making fantastic stops and also has the distribution chops to fit into Arsene Wenger's system at the Emirates. Recovering from serious injury, he's also shown he has the mental fortitude to make it at the highest level.

With six caps so far for England, many see him as the future of the national team and a move to a big club like Arsenal would certainly boost his chances of making that happen.

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