Stoke City Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic Flattered by Manchester United Rumours

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says neither Manchester United nor Real Madrid have made contact regarding their reported interest in his services.

Both clubs have been heavily linked with moves for the Bosnian international, who is looking forward to taking centre stage at the World Cup finals this summer.

While United are seeking backup to David de Gea amid reports No.2 Anders Lindegaard will be offloaded in the summer transfer window while with Iker Casillas' spell out of the Real first-team having continued Carlo Ancelotti is seeking a replacement for Diego Lopez.

But Begovic said: "There is no truth as far as I'm aware. I've not had contact with either club [United or Madrid].

"From my point of view it's flattering to hear those words - two of the biggest clubs in the world - but I'm just enjoying playing my football here.

"I focus on my job each and every day and make sure I perform every weekend for Stoke City.

"I've enjoyed my time here and don't want that to change but everyone has ambitions to go as far in the game as possible but there's been no contact.

"I want to test myself against the best players in the world and to qualify for the World Cup this year with Bosnia is a huge achievement.

"It's something I'm looking forward to and I'm just trying to progress my game and improve."

The 26 year old is among the most reliable 'keepers in the Premier League and has kept seven clean sheets in 25 appearances to help boost Stoke's attempts to stave off relegation.

Begovic has been linked with a move to United for several years since moving to the Britannia Stadium in 2010 from Portsmouth but links with nine-time European Cup winners Madrid are a recent development.

Manager Mark Hughes said: "It wouldn't surprise me if there was a modicum of truth in it — that top teams are looking at Asmir — because he is an outstanding goalkeeper.

"We are certainly not encouraging it. Asmir is a huge part of what we are trying to do here. We are very fortunate that he is here and contracted to us. In that regard we have a position of strength.

"But he is an ambitious player and I'm sure he wants at some point to test himself at the highest level possible, in the Champions League."