Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Have To Pay £15m If They Want Begovic

Mail Online. The Gunnners are understood to have entered preliminary talks over their interest in the shot-stopper, with manager Arsene Wenger keen to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper in the summer. Along with Begovic, the veteran French manager has also set his sights on Chelsea's Petr Cech, Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Barcelona's Victor Valdes. Of those keepers on his shortlist, it is understood Wenger believes Begovic is the most obtainable, considering the circumstances surrounding Stoke at present. Arsenal made an enquiry for Begovic in January, but then, the club were in no mood to sell. However, recent events, which have seen Tony Pulis' side dragged into a relegation dogfight with Aston Villa, Sunderland and Wigan, may loosen their resolve. With Jack Butland also arriving from Birmingham in the summer, there were already question marks over Begovic's future at the Britannia Stadium regardless of their top-flight status. A number of Premier League clubs, such as Manchester United and Chelsea, are also understood to be interested in the Bosnian's services, but Sir Alex Ferguson has since changed his mind on current No.1 David de Gea while Chelsea would only view Begovic as an understudy to Cech, which puts Arsenal in prime position to land their man. Any move would all but spell the end for incumbent No.1 Wojciech Szczesny, who has put in a number of less-than-convincing performances this season.