By Graeme Yorke
PUBLISHED: 09:15 EST, 19 March 2013 | UPDATED: 09:15 EST, 19 March 2013
Manchester United are ready to spark a bidding war for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
The Premier League leaders are keen to sign an imposing keeper as competition for current No 1 David de Gea.
In demand: Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic
They shattered the British transfer record when they paid Atletico Madrid 18.3m for De Gea in May, 2011.
Stoke will invite bids over 15m but Man United may have to break the record again to keep Begovic, 25, from the clutches of Arsenal and Chelsea, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Begovic is ambitious and keen to play in the Champions League but could need assurances that he will be offered first-team football if he does end his 3-year spell in the Potteries.
He has been an ever-present in the league for Stoke this season and that raises the prospect of Arsenal being the most attractive option, with manager Arsene Wenger intent on replacing Wojciech Szczesny at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are also interested in Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Swansea's Michel Vorm, but Begovic has been a long-term target and would stand a good chance of joining Arsenal as their No 1.
Share this article:
The comments below have not been moderated.
The English media are afraid De Gea will dominate the Premier League for the coming years and leave Joe Hart in the shadow. That's why they come up with this rubbish. De Gea is pure class and he is going to be big for Man Utd!
- The Special One 2.0 , Stockholm, Sweden, 19/3/2013 17:33
So hang on, if today's DM is to be believed The Gunners are now after, Begovic, Cech, Reina & Vorm. Just because we gave Szczesny a breather? Wonder how Fabianski & Mannone feel about that?
- kommitt , Hamilton, Bermuda, 19/3/2013 17:29
"Fergie has no interest in this ordinary keeper (begovic). We have De Gea who is a great young keeper and just getting better, de Gea wlll be our #1 for years to come....than we have Lindegaard and Amos as back up, no bego-who wanted at Manchester United." Begovic is a class keeper, he's hardly "ordinary" and is a much better keeper than Lindegaard or Amos. His shot stopping is superb as is his control of the area. "Bego-who" what are you? 12???
- Swifty1863 , Stoke-On-Trent, United Kingdom, 19/3/2013 17:22
give it a rest DM,you're just making yourself look foolish.....again.
- Glenn Quagmire , Quahog, 19/3/2013 17:17
Can't see this happening - he will never get in the team ahead of De Gea. Why would anyone give up 1st team football to be a benchwarmer - he will got to Arsenal and get 1st team there - he is much better than Szczsney - or whatever his name is.
- Salford Red , Salford, 19/3/2013 17:12
please could you let us Know who Arsenal aren't after there seems to be an endless list of ones they are intersted in
- Rolivan , Lorient, 19/3/2013 16:49
i know arsenal have troubles with goalkeepers but please if.they buy half of the gk u keep running storys on we will field 11gk all next season at least we might let in less goals
- tony , london England, 19/3/2013 15:57
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
What has de gea done wrong this week then DM? Utd do not need another keeper de gea is playing top level football for a top club at the age of 21, what do you expect him to be, a prime schemichel?
- ryanarmy , Hartlepool, 19/3/2013 17:45
Report abuse