Begovic departure draws closer with Butland signature
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM | by Matt Carter 
It doesn't take a genius to work out, but The Metro are reporting that Stoke's deadline day signing of Jack Butland could mean Asmir Begovic's days are numbered at The Potteries.
The highly rated Butland surprised many as he chose the Britannia over other arguably more fashionable locations, with the England international showing a refreshing approach by signing for a club where he will actually get to play football.
That said displacing Begovic would seemingly be like shifting an immovable object particularly given his inspirational form, so with that in mind you can't help but put and two and two together by thinking that Stoke are preparing for a series of bids for their priced asset once the window opens again in the Summer months. You have to give Tony Pulis credit for some rather opportunistic planning ahead given that interest in the hugely rated Butland was only going to rise which might have left Stoke in a bidding war that they were not able to win.
The departure of Begovic will of course be a blow to the Midlands club, given that without him their strong defensive record would not be anything like it was now. However in the signing of Butland Stoke look to have the makings a fantastic replacement and the management should be commended on showing a skill that is often missing from football clubs, the ability to plan ahead.
