Everton have opened talks with Bournemouth over the potential tranfer of Asmir Begovic to Goodison Park. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the experienced Bosnia-Herzegovina international would join the club on a two-year contract, and would be expected to provide competition for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
New Toffees manager Rafael Benitez has yet to make a final decision on whether he needs to add a new goalkeeper to his first-team ahead of the new season, but Begovic is expected to join the club on a free transfer if the Spaniard elects to push ahead with the deal.
Everton Negotiating With Bournemouth Over Asmir Begovic Transfer
Jordan Pickford Short of Competition at Goodison Park
Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper since his arrival at the club in 2017, Jordan Pickford, was particularly impressive in the second half of the 2020/21 season, and carried that form over to the international stage for England at Euro 2020.
However, the lack of competition for Pickford’s place at Goodison Park was starkly displayed at times last season. The former Sunderland shot-stopper missed seven games in the Premier League last season, and Everton struggled defensively in his absence. AS Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen was at the club on loan in order to deputise for Pickford, but flattered to deceive when called upon.
The Swede is now back in Italy following the end of his loan period in the Premier League, meaning Benitez may well decide to bring Begovic back to the top-flight ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Begovic Brings Raft of Premier League Experience
Former Stoke City goalkeeper Begovic would bring huge experience to the table at Goodison Park if he were to swap Bournemouth for Merseyside this summer.
The 34-year-old has made 252 top-flight appearances over the course of his career, and claimed a winner’s medal in 2017 during his time at Chelsea.
Begovic spent the most-recent campaign in goal at Bournemouth in the Championship following their relegation in 2020, but the Cherries fell short of a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, losing to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals.
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