Stoke boss Mark Hughes has dismissed the latest reports linking Asmir Begovic with a move away from the Britannia Stadium.

There has been fresh talk this week of Real Madrid being interested in the keeper, with it even being suggested that talks had opened between the club, Begovic’s agents and his current employers.

But Hughes said: “There will be a lot of stories bandied about, but I would take that one with a pinch of salt to be perfectly honest. I don’t think that is true.”

Begovic is out of contract in 2016 and Hughes has repeatedly emphasised his optimism the 27-year-old Bosnia international will sign a new deal with Stoke this summer.

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