"Might go" - Journalist says £35k p/w ace could leave Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland could leave Selhurst Park this summer if the Eagles sign Sam Johnstone, according to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

The 29-year-old joined Palace from Stoke City in 2020, but he’s made just 17 first-team appearances having spent the majority of the last two seasons as Vicente Guaita’s understudy.

After spending two years outside the Premier League following Stoke’s relegation, the England stopper, who earns £35,000 per-week, made the switch to south London hoping to become a regular top-flight goalkeeper once again.

However, he played just twice in his first campaign at Palace and even though he was given more of an opportunity last season, which saw him start nine league fixtures, the potential arrival of Johnstone could be the beginning of the end of Butland’s Palace career.

According to the Evening Standard, Patrick Vieira’s side are the ‘clear frontrunners’ to sign the West Brom keeper after holding talks with the ex-Manchester United man.

Should Johnstone complete his move to Selhurst Park, it could pave the way for Butland, who was described as a ‘true professional‘ by Vieira, to end his two-year stay in the capital.

And Taylor is confident that signing Johnstone would see Butland moved on by Palace.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Butland might go. I can’t see them having three senior keepers there, it wouldn’t make much sense if I’m being honest.”

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Despite Butland failing to show his best form in recent years, he’s still an experienced goalkeeper in the Premier League and the Championship, while he’s been capped nine times by England.

Therefore, it comes as little