Begovic happy at Stoke; Barton expects January arrivals at QPR

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has insisted he is happy at the Britannia Stadium amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international, 27, has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for the Reds due to the ‘indifferent’ form of Simon Mignolet.

Begovic, whose current deal with Stoke is set to expire in the summer of 2016, is enjoying a solid 2014/15 campaign in goal for the Potters despite having kept just two clean sheets in 15 English Premier League appearances this season.

“My future is here at Stoke as far as I’m concerned,” Begovic said. “We’ve got a lot of games coming up and I’m hoping to be a big part of that.

“I’ve been here a few years now and enjoyed my time. I’ve really settled in and had a lot of support from the staff.

“We all have ambitions and goals. I work really hard to get better and try to improve as a player, and hopefully test myself at the highest level possible level in the future. Who knows whether that opportunity will present itself?

“We’ll see what the future holds but I’m not thinking too far ahead.”

Following the Potters’ 3-2 win over Arsenal on Saturday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger likened Mark Hughes’ side to a rugby team.

“That’s a bit of sour grapes I think, and it does wind us up a little bit because we play the right way,” responded the 27-year-old shot-stopper.

“It was a pleasing win; a huge three points that hopefully kicks us on for the rest of the festive period.”

Barton expects January arrivals at QPR

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton is expecting manager Harry Redknapp to freshen up the squad when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Although Rangers have more wins (4) than any side not in the top-13 in the Premier League table, they have taken points from just six matches this season.

That said, QPR’s 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday lifted the club out of the bottom-three, leaving Hull City, Burnley, and Leicester City in the relegation zone.

“I’m sure they’ll try to do some business in the window and if anyone has got a great track record at doing that then it’s our manager,” Barton told Sky Sports.

“The squad always needs freshening – it’s always good to have new bodies in. The manager and the staff will make the calls on that.”

Barton has made nine league appearances for QPR this season.