Potters certain stopper will be in demand.
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Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has admitted that he expects the club to field a number of approaches for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and are even bracing themselves to lose him, Sky Sports reports.
Over the summer the Bosnia international was linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League, whist Spanish side Atletico Madrid and Italian giants Napoli both expressed an interest in landing his signature.
And Coates has said that he can see another bid coming in January when the transfer window reopens, one of which may prove to tempting for the player to turn down, but he has eased fans concerns by insisting that there is a contingency plan in place should he move on.
“I feel he’s as good as anybody in the Premier League,” Coates told The Sentinel.
“I don’t know anyone who is better.
“You always have to be realistic about these things. If a call came from a top European club and was attractive to him, then you have to look at it.
“It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to me and that’s why we have contingency plans in place with other goalkeepers at the club.
“We would be reluctant to sell him because you want to keep your best players, but equally you are realistic about things. You also have to consider the player’s view.”
Begovic arrived at the Britannia Stadium in 2010 after a five year spell with Portsmouth and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Potters in that time.