Jack Butland splits from long-standing agent raising prospect of potential return to Premier League

Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland has split with his long-standing agent in a move which will raise speculation over a return to the Premier League.

Butland is not renewing his contract with respected Stoke-on-Trent based agency Beswicks Sports and is expected to sign up with a rival stable before the end of the year.

The 25-year-old has been with Beswicks for eight years but is now considering other options, following Stoke's relegation to the Championship.

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Gareth Southgate, the England manager, recently reassured Butland that he can still remain part of the national team despite now playing his football in the second tier.

But Southgate would ideally prefer players to be operating in the Premier League, and Butland's future is likely to come under scrutiny again when the January transfer window opens.

Gary Mellor, the Beswicks managing director, told Telegraph Sport: "Jack came in to see me last week and confirmed that he will be looking at other opportunities.

"It was all amicable and it's been a tremendous ride working with him for the past eight years."

Butland was a £3.5m signing for Stoke from Birmingham in January 2013, making his England debut earlier that season at the age of 19 years and 158 days.

This summer he was a target for Chelsea before the club completed the £71m signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao - the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper.