Blues bounced in Begovic approach

Cape Town - Chelsea's opening bid for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has been rejected, according to reports.

The Bosnian goalkeeper has been identified as Petr Cech's replacement at Stamford Bridge, reports espnfc.com.

Chelsea have moved quickly with a reported £6 million bid for the 28-year-old goalkeeper but the Blues were turned away.

Begovic's contract with Stoke is entering its final year but the club have placed a £10 million valuation on their current number one goalkeeper.

Chelsea face two hurdles in signing Begovic, the first agreeing a fee with Stoke City and following that, convincing Begovic to move to the London club to possibly warm more of the bench than Petr Cech did last season.

Aston Villa and Manchester United are two clubs that have been monitoring Begovic's situation at the Britannia Stadium in recent months.