Begovic has hinted he will be joining Liverpool after the Stoke goalkeeper was quoted saying he was preparing for pre-season at Melwood.




Begovic's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time and the January capture of Jack Butland from Birmingham only intensified talk that the Bosnian stopper would be sold by the Potters.



Manchester United were initially thought to be keen, but the much-improved performances of David De Gea ended their interest, leaving Liverpool and Arsenal as his most likely destinations.



However, quoted by The Sun, Begovic said:

"I want to start preparing on July 10, with all the players of Liverpool."

Neither Stoke or Liverpool have confirmed the news, but with doubts surrounding the future of Reds keeper Pepe Reina, the signing of Begovic would not come as a major surprise.

Juan Mata would welcome the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Chelsea's new manager and says they must aspire to win the Premier League.



Mourinho is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish league season and is expected to return to Stamford Bridge, where the managerial post is vacant following the end of Rafa Benitez's interim spell in charge.



Mata arrived at the club after Mourinho's departure but is well aware of everything the Portuguese has achieved and would be happy to see him handed the reins.

"Jose is one of the best," Mata said. "He won everything in every country he was - in Portugal, in Italy, in London with Chelsea, and in Spain as well.



"We don't know really what is going to happen but if he comes he is welcome because he is one of the best and Chelsea always want to be a top side.



"If he comes we are going to be happy to have him."



He said: "What I know is that Madrid is a massive club with a lot of pressure on them, and it shouldn't be easy to be manager of Real Madrid.



"If he comes we will try and do our best with him, or whoever, to win the title, because one challenge for me will be to win the Premier League."

Mourinho has faced criticism during his time at Real Madrid and will finish this season without a major trophy, but Mata believes he could help Chelsea challenge for major honours next year.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes Gareth Bale is "in the right mould" to be a star player at the Bernabeu should he ever sign for the Spanish giants.



There has been considerable speculation about the future of the Wales international after Tottenham failed to qualify for the Champions League, with Madrid the most likely destination.



Quoted in The Sun, Ramos said:

"Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He has had an exceptional season. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.



"I am sure Madrid will not be the only team that want to sign him - but he is the right mould for us."



"We fought hard this season, the team and the manager have been great," he said.



"We have got the record points for the club in the Premier League.



"That would normally be enough to qualify for the Champions League, but it's not meant to be again.



"It's disappointing, but we will pick ourselves up again.



"We will just have to regroup this season and give it another go."

Bale rounded off a remarkable year on Sunday by scoring his 26th goal of the season, but his wonder winner against Sunderland was not enough to earn the club Champions League qualification.



The club are understandably keen to hold on to their star man and manager Andre Villas-Boas recently called on the forward to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal at White Hart Lane.



For now, the signs look promising for Tottenham fans. From his comments in the immediate aftermath of the victory over Sunderland, he seemed in no mood to abandon ship and head to Madrid.

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has denied the club are chasing the signatures of Radamel Falcao and Neymar.



Reports have suggested City are among the chasing pack lining up moves for Atletico Madrid hit-man Falcao and Brazil sensation Neymar.



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Falcao has been linked with a host of clubs, including Chelsea, Monaco and Real Madrid following his goalscoring exploits for Atletico over the last couple of seasons.



Santos attacker Neymar is also being chased by Europe's top clubs with the skilful playmaker expected to leave South America for Europe after the 2014 World Cup.



However, Soriano insists the pair are not on City's transfer radar as they begin plans for their summer transfer plans.



"Neymar and Falcao? [These reports are] false, they have never been on our agenda," Soriano is quoted as saying on Tuttomercatoweb.com.



Soriano also moved to play down talk that Sergio Aguero could leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.



Reports have suggested Aguero could be keen on a return with Spain with Real Madrid long-term admirers of the Argentine international.



Soriano insists City have no plans to sell Aguero and that the 24-year-old is happy to stay at the club.



"The first thing I want to emphasise is that we have never thought of selling Aguero. El Kun will be happy to stay with us this year," Soriano added.

Winger Franck Ribery is confident that Bayern Munich will be too strong for Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final.



The two clubs will meet in an all-German affair at Wembley on Saturday, with Bayern keen to make amends for last year's defeat on penalties to Chelsea on their home ground of the Allianz Arena.



Dortmund's progress to the final has seen them win a tough group which included Real Madrid and Manchester City, before knocking the Spanish side out over two legs at the semi-final stage.



Bayern won the Bundesliga with weeks to spare, with Dortmund eventually 25 points adrift in second place, and Ribery feels European glory will be Bayern's if they play to their potential.

"I was impressed with how Dortmund managed to dismantle Real Madrid in the semi-finals, but we are only thinking of ourselves. We are stronger," the Frenchman declared.



"If we're all ready and willing to give 100 per cent we'll emerge victorious. We know Dortmund inside-out.



"It will be crucial not to put too much pressure on ourselves.



"I don't know whether we'll make it to the Champions League final ever again, which is why we want to give it everything we've got to finally hold the trophy."

Ribery's team-mate Mario Mandzukic says that playing at Wembley will fulfil a lifelong dream.



The Croatian joined the Bavarian giants in summer 2012 and is eager to play in a Champions League final at the first time of asking.

"I can hardly wait for the kick-off. Since I hit my first ball, I always dreamed of playing a Champions League final - and I also dreamed it would be at Wembley," said the 27-year-old.



"Now my wish is coming true. I hope this is football's reward for me giving my best to it, with fair play and hard work.



"I think Bayern's greatest strength is their team spirit. I have played for a lot of teams but I have never experienced anything like it."

Thibaut Courtois believes that Chelsea's youth policy will give him a chance of a successful future at Stamford Bridge.




The Belgian goalkeeper has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid since joining Chelsea from Racing Genk in June 2011.



The 21-year-old has already played for his country at senior level and is seen as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech, but has earned glowing reviews during his stint at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.



He said:

"Chelsea have the young players that maybe in two or three years' time can win everything.



"I signed with Chelsea, not just because it is a big club but also because of its commitment to young players. I want to be part of Chelsea history."



However, Courtois is open-minded as to whether or not he will get the chance to impress with his parent club.



He said: "Chelsea have always been very fair with me and they are also smart people and they know that I need to play.



"I don't know where that will be but I do know I have proved myself in the two years I have been here (in Madrid)."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists attitude will be as important as aptitude as he looks to strengthen the Reds' squad this summer.



Jamie Carragher has already left the club while Manchester City's Kolo Toure has been linked with a switch to Anfield.



Rodgers is adamant that unless any potential target can show themselves to be a winner he will look elsewhere.

"A lot of great learning has taken place throughout the year both on and off the field," he told the club website. "Now we want to build on the positive impact of the second half of the season.



"It's our job as a club to look to bring in the types of players who will allow us to kick on again.



"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes in order to reinforce the group.



"In order to breed the consistency needed to give us success, we need to bring in winners - those with the winning mentality.



"Everyone has to play a part in leadership.



"You get different types of leadership - some are purely by action and inspiration, others by organisation and more verbal.



"Taking on that responsibility is something that has to come from within the group here, but we're also looking to bring in that type of player."