Sunderland have failed to land Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic in action with Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge
According to the Sunderland Echo, Chelsea have rejected an approach from Sunderland for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Black Cats need to bring a host of new faces before Wednesday’s deadline, and one position that David Moyes will need to strengthen is in goal.
Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic
First-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone has been ruled out for at least three months with elbow ligament damage, and whilst Moyes does have one of England’s finest young goalkeepers at his disposal in Jordan Pickford, he will want to bring a more experience shot-stopper.
With that in mind, the Sunderland Echo report that Sunderland made a move to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic – but the Blues have knocked back their approach.
Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic
Begovic, 29, was one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers during his time with Stoke City, and his performances for the Potters earned him a big move to Chelsea under Jose Mourinho last summer.
The Bosnian international was signed largely as Thibaut Courtois’ deputy, but Begovic did end the campaign with 17 league appearances to his name, again showing that he could be a regular in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic in action with Swansea’s Alberto Paloschi
Questions have been asked over Begovic’s future at Stamford Bridge after new manager Antonio Conte snapped up Portuguese international goalkeeper Eduardo last week, with some suggestions that Begovic would like to play first-team football this season.
Sunderland would have offered him that, but Chelsea are believed to have rejected their approach, meaning any exit for Begovic before tomorrow’s deadline looks highly unlikely.
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