Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has insisted that the club can match the ambitions of in-demand goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The Bosnian international has just over 12 months left on his current deal at the Britannia Stadium and has been linked with a move away from the Potters on numerous occasions in recent years.

However, Scholes made no secret of his desire to keep Begovic at the club and believes that the 27-year-old would be able to fulfil his potential if he stays.

"Clearly Asmir is a terrific goalkeeper and we are very keen to keep him at the club," Scholes told The Sentinel.

"I think when you've got extremely good players it is only natural that there will be speculation about their future. These players are also very ambitious and I include Asmir in that. He is a very focused, very talented and very ambitious young man.

"He wants to make sure he can play at the very best levels his abilities will enable him to and to have a very good and successful career in the game. We hope that we can fulfil all of those things at Stoke City."

Begovic, who has also been urged to stay by chairman Peter Coates, has been at Stoke since 2010, making 167 appearances for the club in all competitions.