But with Jack Butland arriving from Birmingham in the summer, the Potters are now open to parting with their talented shot-stopper. Arsenal are understood to have made a follow-up enquiry regarding their interest but have been told Stoke will not consider any offers under £15million.
A number of leading Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, are interested in Begović.
But United are believed to have been put off by Stoke’s £15million asking price, while David De Gea’s improved form has seen Sir Alex Ferguson cool his interest in Begovic.
Likewise, Chelsea want Begović to provide stiff competition for current No 1 Cech as highly-rated Thibault Courtois continues his education away from Stamford Bridge.
But Begović is only willing to move to a club where he is guaranteed to be first-choice; something Wenger is willing to offer him.
Whether the Gunners are willing to meet Stoke’s valuation, however, remains to be seen, despite the fact Wenger has £70million to spend on new players this summer.
Stoke hope the growing interest in Begović will trigger a summer bidding war, something the Gunners’ chief negotiators Ivan Gazidis and Dick Law will want to avoid getting involved in.
Wenger’s search for a new goalkeeper has put the futures of current custodians Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski in serious doubt.