Stoke set to capture Pompey stopper

Spurs thought they had sealed a move for Begovic after agreeing a deal with Portsmouth, but Stoke have stolen the 22-year-old from under their noses. Harry Redknapp said after Spurs' 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Saturday: "There is a big problem in terms of (Begovic) and I think Stoke are in there. I think he has changed his mind. "Maybe Stoke have offered him the chance to be the number one there. It looks like he has done an about turn." Tony Pulis has made no secret of his desire to add a goalkeeper to his ranks this month and has come close on a trio of occasions to landing England number one David James. The deal suffered a number of hitches, however, and it now looks set to be Begovic instead making the move north to the Britannia Stadium. The Bosnian would have been Heurelho Gomes' understudy had he joined Spurs but he has a better chance of first-team football at Stoke, with Pulis unconvinced by some of Thomas Sorensen's displays this season. Begovic is expected to be followed out of the exit door at Fratton Park by a number of other stars before the close of the transfer window as Pompey's financial troubles show no signs of easing, while Stoke on the other hand want further reinforcements albeit from the loan market.