Stoke City are desperate to keep their in-form goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic from the “big guns” in the Premier League.
The Bosnian international has admitted he may jump aboard the League’s goalkeeper carousel over the summer transfer window and he has already been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal. Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United have become the latest club to show an interest in the 27-year-old who has one year left of his current contract with the Potters. Begovic intends to sit down with boss Mark Hughes, to discuss his options because he is really keen to play at the highest level and test himself. It is believed he could be bought by a suitor for as little as £10million.
Manchester United look set to lose their current number one, David de Gea to Real Madrid and there has been many rumours as to who the gaffer will bring in to replace him. Chelsea veteran, Petr Cech is also heading out of the door and Arsenal are on the lookout for a new keeper so Stoke are going to find it hard to keep him at the club. Begovic has already stressed that he is very happy at the Britannia Stadium and has no intention of leaving unless the decision is mutual. Speaking before the last game of the season he told reporters, “It’s about trying to be ambitious as possible, and to win and compete for as much as possible because I’m going to be 28, I’m not 20. I want to be part of a successful team and achieve things – that’s my goal going forward.”
He added, “Any player as ambitious as myself wants to play at the highest level. I’ve played in the Europa League, the World Cup and World Cup qualifiers and they are the sort of games you want to be involved in. I know the club are ambitious and trying to move forward, trying to get into European competition. So if the plans are right then hopefully we can get something in place there. That would be awesome too. But, like anyone, I’d love to play at the highest level.”
Begovic has established himself as one of the best keepers in the Premier League which has attracted interest and this season he has managed to keep nine clean sheets in all competitions. The Bosnian is currently 5/4 to be Manchester United’s next keeper according to odds checker but many believe while he could be the next goalkeeper at Old Trafford he may not be the new number one. While he has played excellently for the Potters it is a big step up to United. Begovic may have to start as the understudy to Victor Valdes as he doesn’t have any experience of playing for such a big club.
Begovic may love being at Stoke but if he is offered a deal with a Champions League club like Manchester United, he is going to have a hard time turning it down. Time to batten down the hatches, Stoke.
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