United linked with swoop for Stoke City goalkeeper
Asmir Begovic
By Chris
February 3 2013
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Stoke City’s Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, with press reports suggesting that the Red Devils are preparing an £9million swoop. The Potters snapped up promising ‘keeper Jack Butland during the January transfer window and may therefore be content to let the shot stopper leave the Britannia Stadium.
Butland, who represented Team GB at the Olympic Games last summer, moved from Birmingham to Stoke during the window, but will remain with the Blues on loan until the end of the season.
That move has sparked speculation about the future of Begovic – with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly keen on bringing the ‘keeper to Old Trafford.
United stopper David Dea Gea has received some harsh criticism from pundits this season, though the young ‘keeper has still produced a string of impressive displays and seems to have won the battle with Anders Lindegaard to be United’s number one.
Begovic, meanwhile, was on impressive form on Saturday as Stoke narrowly lost 1-0 at Arsenal.
If the former Ipswich Town custodian did join United this summer, it could be Lindegaard heading for the Old Trafford exit door with the Bosnian and De Gea left to battle it out for first-team honours.
Danish ‘keeper Lindegaard has made only one appearance for United in 2013, and has not appeared in the league since leaking three goals at Reading on December 1st.