Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s A?8 million transfer to Premier League champions Chelsea FC is set to be announced today, according to numerous reports. Marco van Ginkel will move the opposite way on a season-long loan.
. Chelsea FC are set to announce the signing of Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic, today, with the 28-year-old set to compete with Thibaut Courtois for the number one spot at Stamford Bridge next season. Club legend Petr Cech’s transfer to Arsenal, had left Chelsea FC with no established keeper to compete with Belgium’s Courtois, or to deputize in his absence.
Stoke City accepted the better and improved offer by Chelsea FC, to bring Begovic to the Bridge, with the only stumbling block reported to be the player who would move to Britannia stadium as a part of the transfer. 22-year-old Ginkel, who had been linked with loan moves to a host of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Sunderland and Southampton, will help his new club in replacing Steven Nzonzi, following the latter’s transfer to Spanish club Sevilla.
Begovic, who only had 12-months on his contract, had made it clear to the Stoke hierarchy that he would not be extending his contract with the Britannia club, and that he wanted a transfer to holders Chelsea.
Stoke have moved swiftly to secure the services of 39-year-old Shay Given, who was close to agreeing a deal with Middlesbrough. However, the former Aston Villa man, will sign a two year contract with the club, after completing a medical on Saturday. The Britannia club already have highly coveted English U-21 keeper Jack Butland, and it is believed that Butland will start the next season between the sticks for Stoke City, following the departure of Begovic.