Stoke City are closing in on the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, sources have told ESPN FC, a move which could pave the way for Asmir Begovic to join Chelsea.
Stoke have made a late swoop to hijack Middlesbrough's move for Given as they want to bring in an experienced keeper to fill the void should Begovic leave.
Begovic is Chelsea's top target to replace Petr Cech following the Czech Republic star's move to Arsenal.
Chelsea have seen one bid for Begovic rejected, but sources say they are close to striking a deal with Stoke to sign the Bosnian, who is the final year of his contract at the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is keen to bring in an experienced keeper as he only has Jack Butland and Jakob Haugaard at the club following the departure of Thomas Sorensen at the end of his contract.
Hughes said he is a big fan of Given, having worked with the former Newcastle man during his time in charge of Manchester City, and he said the Irishman will be the perfect man to help Butland develop.
Championship side Middlesbrough had lined up a move for Given, but Stoke are confident of persuading the 39-year-old to stay in the Premier League.
Villa saw a bid for Begovic rejected earlier this summer as Tim Sherwood looks for a new No. 1 keeper and he is ready to let Given move on.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Villa will release Given a year early from his contract to let him move on after four years at Villa Park.
Given made just 10 appearances for Villa last season, including the FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal in May.
But he has reestablished himself as the Republic of Ireland's No.1 in recent months and earned his 130th senior cap against Scotland last month after initially retiring from international football following the 2012 European Championship.
It seemed likely that Given would rejoin a Middlesbrough side where he spent three months on loan during the 2013-14 season.
"Shay was here, I know him, he knows me, so we are working [to do the deal] and let's see," Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka said at a press conference on Wednesday. "I hope so."
But the 39-year-old could now be heading for Stoke and that would raise further question marks over Begovic's future.