According to The Guardian, Asmir Begovic is poised to join Chelsea in a deal worth £8m, with Marco van Ginkel heading to the Britannia Stadium on loan, as part of the deal for the 2015/16 season.
The Bosnian goalkeeper made it clear to the Stoke City board that he wanted the move to the Premier League champions this summer, with Chelsea identifying the Stoke star as the man that’ll be Thibaut Courtois’ deputy.
Initially rejecting a bid from Chelsea, the Blues increased their offer and turned it into one that the Potters were prepared to accept. A deal was made that the Blues will loan someone out to Stoke for the season, with Sunderland, Newcastle United and Southampton target Marco van Ginkel looking to be that player.
Once contract talks had started to stall, Mark Hughes and co were backed into a corner they couldn’t get themselves out of. The 28-year-old only had 12 months left on his current deal, it was either cash in for Chelsea’s £8m bid or be prepared to watch Begovic go for free. Van Ginkel will also come in and fill the void left by Steven Nzonzi’s departure to Sevilla in La Liga.
Shay Given was set to join Middlesbrough, but with Begovic to Chelsea imminent, the former Aston Villa ‘keeper will head to Mark Hughes’ side. On Thursday, the 39-year-old underwent his medical at Stoke, and is about to sign a two-year-deal. England U21 international Jack Butland will start the season as Stoke’s first choice goalkeeper, what an achievement!
