Stoke City chairman Peter Coates accepts they could lose goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the summer.
Begovic was watched on the weekend by Manchester United keeper coach Chris Woods.
Coates said: "I firmly believe Asmir has proven over the last few years that he's the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
"He's ambitious and wants to play at as high a level as he can. We would be reluctant to sell him because you want to keep your best players, but equally you are realistic about things."
