Chelsea may have turned down an offer of around £8 million for their number two keeper Asmir Begovic, but it is likely that this is not the end of the story. The Daily Mail expect Chelsea to hold out for £12m for the Bosnian shot stopper, but giving greater competition to Artur Boruc is only perhaps necessary in this window if Artur's back problems are a real concern.
On the pitch Artur has been beaten a few times of late, but I don't think any of the fans are pointing the finger at goalkeeping errors. While Artur was sensation in August and September, he has had some injury niggles and at 36 he may not have many seasons in his locker when he wants to put his body through the mill, hurling himself across the ground.
Whether Begovic is worth more than £8m or not, AFCB have to look at the goalkeeping position at some point. Artur has not had to make way for Adam Federici on very many occasions and the level of keeper that AFCB need to come in and to be a number one is going to be more than they have ever paid for a keeper in the past. To think that everyone was astonished when a similar fee was paid for Tyrone Mings not so long ago to set a new club record at the time shows how fast the club has moved on.
Bournemouth have only got two strikers that they paid £10m or more for in Benik Afobe and Jordan, but the signings now are moving the bar up all the time and the asking price for a top keeper is not peanuts. Stoke City were forced into upping their offer for Lee Grant, the Derby Co keeper to £1.75m plus £750,000 add-ons, so what price for Begovic? Begovic only joined Chelsea in July 2015 and his transfer fee then was £8m. Had Courtois not be recalled he could have been Chelsea's number one as his record at Stoke City was extremely good. At 29 he is at the right age to be a strong number one, but convincing Chelsea to let a player go in a key back up position is going to be difficult.
Still this is where we learn if AFCB want to spend what they can to get who they want or if they still have some limits and other options up their sleeve.
In the last 24 hours, AFCB have also been linked with Irish international Robbie Brady of Norwich City. That would be quite a compatriot for Harry Arter to play next to at AFCB.
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Whether Begovic is worth more than £8m or not, AFCB have to look at the goalkeeping position at some point. Artur has not had to make way for Adam Federici on very many occasions and the level of keeper that AFCB need to come in and to be a number one is going to be more than they have ever paid for a keeper in the past. To think that everyone was astonished when a similar fee was paid for Tyrone Mings not so long ago to set a new club record at the time shows how fast the club has moved on.
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Still this is where we learn if AFCB want to spend what they can to get who they want or if they still have some limits and other options up their sleeve.
In the last 24 hours, AFCB have also been linked with Irish international Robbie Brady of Norwich City. That would be quite a compatriot for Harry Arter to play next to at AFCB.
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