Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland on a loan deal.
During the first half of the season, David de Gea and Martin Dubravka were Erik ten Hag's top two options between the sticks, the former playing all but two of United's fixtures in all competitions.
However, Dubravka is no longer at Old Trafford having been recalled by parent club Newcastle United, the Slovakian stopper said to have requested a return to the Magpies.
As it stands, Tom Heaton has been promoted to the role of De Gea's deputy, and it has recently been claimed that the arrangement could continue for the remainder of the campaign.
Nevertheless, according to Manchester Evening News, United are interested in replacing Dubravka with Butland.
The England international has been with Palace since October 2020, often acting as backup to Vicente Guaita during his time at Selhurst Park.
Butland has made a total of 17 appearances, with seven of his 16 starts coming in cup competitions, but Palace now have a stronger crop of goalkeepers on their books.
The Eagles signed Sam Johnstone on a free transfer last summer and the former West Bromwich Albion man played in two EFL Cup ties earlier in the season.
With Johnstone having been dealing with an injury issue, Butland has recently found himself named on the substitutes' bench by Patrick Vieira.
However, the situation is expected to change once Johnstone returns from a lower back injury, potentially by the end of January.
While Palace may insist on retaining Butland's services in the short term, the report says that positive talks have been held between the relevant parties.
Should Butland move to the Theatre of Dreams, he would represent the eighth club of his career, but 169 of his 291 senior games have come with Stoke City.
The former Birmingham City youngster has made 87 outings in the Premier League, keeping a total of 21 clean sheets.
Although Butland's contract at Palace is due to expire at the end of the season, it is unlikely to have any bearing on a loan switch materialising should United push ahead with their interest. body check tags ::
