Stoke City eye Shay Given as replacement
Chelsea have been given a major boost in their hunt for Asmir Begovic after Stoke City turned their attentions to Shay Given.
The Potters are in the market for a new goalkeeper with Begovic edging closer to Stamford Bridge in order to replace Petr Cech, who joined Arsenal, and with Stoke ready to sign Given from Aston Villa, it looks like the Bosnian could be just days away from completing his switch.
Goalkeeper Merry-go-round
Stoke already have Jack Butland at the club, who was Mark Hughes‘ favoured number-one near the end of last season, and will now make a move for Given after Villa signed Mark Bunn from Norwich City after The Canaries released him at the end of last season.
It’s emerged that Given will have a medical at Stoke early next week, meaning Begovic could be told he can leave and join Chelsea.
The Blues need a new number-two after they allowed Cech to join Arsenal, and Begovic is the man they want to give Thibaut Courtois competition.
Begovic to Chelsea
Jose Mourinho was contemplating Robert Green from Queens Park Rangers and John Ruddy from Norwich, but after Begovic snubbed a contract extension from the Britannia Stadium outfit, Mourinho turned his attentions to the Bosnian.
The 28-year-old has been at Stoke for five years, after moving from Portsmouth.
Begovic has since gone on to make 160 Premier League appearances and has earned the reputation of being one of the best ‘keepers in England.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
