Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has revealed that he expects to exit the Britannia Stadium in the summer, but has denied recent speculation that he has already agreed to terms on a pre-contract with Manchester United, Sky Sports understands.
Begovic, 25, has been on a bit of a purple patch for Stoke City this season, with nine clean sheets to his name in 25 league matches.
The 25-year-old, a full Bosnia international, has been linked with both Manchester City and Manchester United in recent weeks, and increasingly so following Stoke City’s recent signing of England international shot-stopper Jack Butland from Birmingham City.
Butland, 19, has joined English Championship side Birmingham on loan until the end of the season, and will join Stoke in the summer after rejecting an offer to join Chelsea.
The 19-year-old would have surely been the third-choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge, with Czech Republic international Petr Cech and Belgium international Thibaut Courtois — currently on loan at Atletico Madrid — high-regarded at Chelsea.
All things considered, it appears that Butland made the right choice in turning down the European champions.
“I read in the papers that I said no to City and yes to United,” Begovic told Oslobodjenje. “But the truth is, I haven’t decided on anything.
“I didn’t say yes or no to anybody. I haven’t signed anything – no contract, no pre-contract. But I believe that Stoke didn’t buy Butland to be a reserve so I think I’m going to be sold in the summer.”
Juventus target Jovetic not for sale
ACF Fiorentina chairman Mario Cognini has insisted that Juventus transfer target Stevan Jovetic is not for sale amid reports that the Florence-based club rejected an offer of €13 million plus Alessandro Matri and Michele Pazienza for the Montenegro international during the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
Jovetic, 23, is under contract at the Stadio Artemio Franchi until 2016, and will not be sold at any price.
The 23-year-old Montenegro international has scored nine goals in 18 league matches for sixth-place Fiorentina this season.
Jovetic is one of the most highly-rated young superstars in Europe, and was strongly linked with Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this season.
“It’s not possible that there will be any negotiations with Juventus for Stevan,” Cognigni told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“In fact, it’s not possible to deal with them or anyone else: Jovetic is not for sale.
“He is happy at Fiorentina
and has a contract with us for another three years.”
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