Arsenal and Chelsea are locked in a battle to sign Stoke’s highly rated goalkeeper Asmir Begović.
Although Manchester United have been strongly linked with the £15 million-rated Bosnia international, talk of Begović moving to Old Trafford as a replacement for David De Gea is being played down by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Gunners’ interest in the former Portsmouth number one has intensified over the last few weeks after they failed to secure a deal in the January transfer window.
But it’s Chelsea, who have had two previous bids rejected for Begović, who are strong favourites to land him at the end of the season.
Former Pompey boss Avram Grant, who gave Begović his debut at Fratton Park, has told his close friend and Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, to secure the signing of the keeper.
Begović himself seems keen on the move even though he has attempted to play down talk of leaving Stoke despite the arrival of Jack Butland from, the England U-21 keeper, from Birmingham in January.
Meanwhile, Jack Butland has revealed he joined Stoke instead of Chelsea to further his England ambitions.
