Stoke chief Tony Scholes believes that Potters goalkeeper Jack Butland is worth more than Jordan Pickford in the current market.

Pickford yesterday joined Everton from Sunderland in a deal believed to be around £30m, but Scholes argues that Butland is a more finished product than Pickford.

However, he has made it very clear that the England international remains a key part of Stoke ahead of the next season.

"Jack's a very special talent," said Scholes. "He's done extremely well for us and has done well for England.

"I think most people objectively would argue he's some way beyond Jordan Pickford, I think, but that's not what we are thinking about.

"We are thinking about what Jack can do for our football team and Jack is a key part of what we want to be next year.

"He's a player we missed last year, albeit Lee Grant came in and was magnificent and deservedly won the player-of-the-year award.

"But when you've got a player of Jack's quality you want him available for your team."