After being down to the last hurdle and suddenly not anymore because of Manchester United possibly entering the market to get a new first-team goalkeeper envisioning a David De Gea transfer that didn’t even happen (yet), it seems that we’re back to being close to announce a deal with Stoke’s Asmic Begovic according to Simon Johnson from the London Evening Standard.
Chelsea expect to complete the £8 million signing of Stoke keeper Asmic Begovic this week. Chelsea have already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract worth £75,000-a-week for the Bosnia international, who will become the new back-up to Thibaut Courtois.
Source: The London Evening Standard
It is also reported in the article that the deal between Chelsea and Stoke involve not only the £8 million fee but also a loan deal, with either Victor Moses or Patrick Bamford going to the Potters, which is in tune with the terms bandied out when the rumour first started a month ago. It also makes financial sense, as I find it quite hard that Chelsea would pay £10 million for Begovic after selling Petr Cech for roughly the same price to a rival club.
After Manchester United’s surging competition, getting close to announce a deal with a quality goalkeeper such as Begovic is a small victory in this crazed transfer window.
