According to reports from Mirror Football yesterday evening, Stoke City are on the verge of signing Premier League veteran Shay Given as a replacement for Chelsea and Manchester United target Asmir Begovic.
The Bosnian international, who has served for five terms as the Potters’ No.1, is widely expected to leave the Britannia this summer with his contract into its final year.
Chelsea have identified Begovic as a replacement for Petr Cech and launched a £6million bid on the same afternoon the 33 year-old’s long-awaited move to Arsenal became official.
It was rejected by Stoke but the Premier League champions are expected to meet their demands of £8million plus a player on loan for next season – provided Manchester United’s plans to hijack Chelsea’s pursuit of the 27 year-old don’t stand in the way.
The Red Devils are targeting the former Portsmouth youngster as someone who could step into David De Gea’s shoes if the PFA Player of the Year nominee moves to Real Madrid this summer.
Either way, Stoke City’s transfer activity over the last 24 hours suggests Begovic’s departure has become all the more likely. They’re on the verge of signing Shay Given on a free transfer; a 39 year-old who boasts 443 Premier League appearances throughout his spells with Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa alongside two prior selections in the PFA Team of the Year.
The Ireland international will be brought in to help fill Begovic’s void, but Stoke’s No.1 berth will likely go to England prodigy Jack Butland.