Thursday 11 June 2015 15:02, UK
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes remains optimistic of tying down Asmir Begovic to a new contract.
However, Scholes admitted the club were unsure whether the Bosnia goalkeeper was interested in staying at the Britannia Stadium beyond next year.
Begovic, 27, who is entering the final 12 months of his current deal, was left out by manager Mark Hughes for three matches towards the end of the season and has been linked with a string of clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United.
Hughes insisted it was a pre-planned move but Begovic did not take it well and, having gone on international duty without sorting his future, Scholes accepted he was unlikely to find out the keeper's thoughts until he returned for pre-season.
We would very much like him to extend his contract but I think Asmir has said it himself, he is keeping his options open
"In the same way as players you try to bring in, you don't know if the deal is done until it's in black and white," he told The Sentinel.
"You don't necessarily know if you're being told everything by the selling club or indeed by the player's agent.
"We would very much like him to extend his contract but I think Asmir has said it himself, he is keeping his options open and seeing what might be available for him.
"If I'm speaking frankly, I don't know who he might be speaking to. That's not accusing him of anything, it's just saying that's the reality. My hope is that he decides that we are the best option for him and that he extends his contract.
"He's away at the moment but we hope to sit down with Asmir and his representatives again in the near future and it would be nice if we could sort something out."
