Friday 17 April 2015 18:27, UK
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 goalkeeper, with it even being suggested in Spain that talks had opened between the club, Begovic's representatives and his current employers.
But Hughes says the talk is wide of the mark, and far from selling his best players, he is set on strengthening his squad, with Moha El Ouriachi close to joining from Barcelona.
At his press conference to preview Saturday's Premier League home clash with Southampton, Hughes said: "There will be a lot of stories bandied about, but I would take that one (Begovic) 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.
"We are scheduled to have talks with Asmir's people in the next few weeks I think," Hughes said.
"I think both parties have stated that probably at the end of the season those talks will come to a conclusion, and we are very hopeful Asmir will stay here.
"There will be speculation around better players at football clubs, and we are no different. He has attracted attention because he is an outstanding goalkeeper."
Hughes is optimistic that the 19-year-old Moroccan-born El Ouriachi will be in his squad next season.
Hughes said: "There is a hope that we will be able to conclude that deal."
The Welshman, who is a former Barcelona striker and who has previously signed forward Bojan Krkic and defender Marc Muniesa for Stoke from the Catalan outfit, added: "We are trying to improve the quality of the U21 group and he (El Ouriachi) is a good young player.
"He is one we think we can bring to the club, so we will try to pursue that one and it looks very hopeful.
"He is predominantly left-footed, has good ability one on one and has good pace. He ticks a lot of the boxes in terms of what we are looking for in young players.
"If we can get it concluded, once he is here then we hope to develop him and push him towards the first team if we can.
"He is not one that is going to go straight into my team, but it is with a view that in the future it will happen."