Asmir Begovic will leave Stoke City if he rejects new contract

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will be allowed to join Manchester United, or any other interested party, if the Bosnia international declines the offer of a new contract with the club, according to midfielder Charlie Adam.

Begovic's current deal expires in the summer of 2016 and with several clubs considering their 'keeper options, the 27-year-old remains undecided whether he wants to remain at the Britannia Stadium.

United have been heavily linked with a move for Begovic with severe doubt surrounding the future of David de Gea, while Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and even Chelsea could yet look for a new stopper depending on their movements in the window.

And United, among others, have been encouraged in their pursuit of Begovic this summer after Adam admitted the club would prefer to sell the player than allow his contract to run into its final year.

"I think he [Asmir Begovic] could stay but it's his decision on the situation," he told Talksport. "He has a year to go.

"The club aren't going to be stupid and they aren't going to let his contract run down. That's not going to happen, definitely not, because they have a value there.

"It's a hard decision for both parties. He obviously wants to play at the highest level in the Champions League and he has a big decision to make.

"One move will cause a problem with every other goalkeeper. Asmir is a top goalkeeper who wants to play in the Champions League and we want to keep him. It's going to be an interesting summer for us."

With De Gea understood to be on the brink of joining Real Madrid, United appear to be the club in the greatest need of a new goalkeeper heading into the transfer window, with Victor Valdes the only player in reserve.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes says Begovic is in no rush to commit his future to the club and even concedes the player could have already begun talks with rivals clubs over a summer move.

"We would very much like him to extend his contract, but I think Asmir has said it himself, he is keeping his options open and seeing what might be available for him," Scholes is said.

"If I'm speaking frankly, I don't know whether or who he might be speaking to. That's not accusing him of anything, it's just saying that's the reality."

"My hope is that he decides that we are the best option for him and that he extends his contract."