Stoke City consider Asmir Begovic return

Stoke City are prepared to re-sign former player Asmir Begovic from Chelsea after Derby County placed a hefty valuation of on-loan goalkeeper Lee Grant.

Grant, 33, joined the Potters on a six-month loan from Derby County as a means of playing back-up to the first-team.

However, following a long-term injury to Jack Butland, he was offered the chance to become the number one with veteran shot-stopper Shay Given dropped to the bench.

Since then, Grant has transformed himself into a key performer for the Potters despite being the second or third choice with the Rams in the Championship.

According to The Mirror, manager Mark Hughes would welcome the return of Begovic in the New Year after Derby placed a £4m valuation on Grant.

Hughes was initially expecting to agree on a £2m sum for Grant, but after knowing of Derby's valuation, he has decided to let the player leave in January.

Begovic, 29, had been successful during his five-year spell with Stoke between 2010 and 2015, and Hughes would take the chance of re-signing him on loan for the rest of the campaign.