Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has refused to rule out a move to Manchester City after admitting he came close to joining over the summer, according to the Metro. Begovic, who was the unlikely hero as his goalkick sailed into Southampton's net in the 1-1 draw over the weekend, has previously been targeted by both Chelsea and City. And the 26-year-old admits he came close to a move to Etihad Stadium in the last transfer window, before the potential deal fell through due to the sacking of former manager Roberto Mancini. Begovic said:
"As players we are the last to find out things, probably our agents and club officials find out first without talking to us, then at the latter stage of negotiations they will tell us. "As for Manchester City, when Mancini was on the bench, we were very close to an agreement. "The transfer was not realised due to several reasons, but the main one was the departure of the Italian manager."
Despite the move collapsing, however, the shot-stopper revealed he could quit the Potters in the summer transfer window and refused to rule out the prospect of joining the Citizens. A move is especially likely given the tumultuous times currently being endured by City's No.1 Joe Hart, who has made a string of high-profile gaffes recently and has had his position for club and country called into question. Hart is under increasing pressure at the Etihad after a string of costly mistakes and has found himself dropped for his side's last three games in favour of Costel Pantilimon. And Begovic added:
"Could I still move to City? I really dont know if negotiations between clubs are still ongoing. "But for me probably the best thing would be to stay at Stoke until the end of the season as in that way I would be truly ready for World Cup in Brazil."
Begovic has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in recent times and was named Stoke City Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year and Bosnian Footballer of the Year for 2013.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
