The Gunners made an enquiry for Begović in January, but Stoke had no interest in selling the Bosnian goalkeeper midway through the season, reports dailymail.co.uk
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.
