It’s been a disappointing few weeks for Arsenal on the goalkeeper pursuit front. They’re believed to searching for a new No.1 ahead of the summer window but two of their priority targets have already ruled out potential moves to the Emirates.
Last week, an Arsenal insider revealed the north London club were informed ‘not to waste their time’ chasing after the Czech international this summer, as reported by The Metro.
And fellow target Mattia Perin, dubbed ‘the next Gigi Buffon’, personally ruled out an Emriates switch over the weekend, telling reporters he intends to stay at Genoa for at least another season – as reported by talkSPORT.
But fear not Gunners fans, for Football Fancast is here to help. Using our god-given powers of transfer know-how, we’ve listed FIVE equally talented goalkeepers the north Londoners could turn to this summer instead.
Would you like to see one of these FIVE donning the Arsenal No.1 jersey next season?
ASMIR BEGOVIC
Asmir Begovic has been linked with the Premier League’s top clubs ever since his first full campaign for Stoke City during 2010/11, but the Bosnian international’s long-awaited big move could finally happen this summer as he enters the final year of his Potters contract.
They certainly think of him highly at the Britannia Stadium; over the last five campaigns, the 27 year-old has won the Young Player of the Year award, the Player of the Year award, the Players’ Player of the Year award twice and the Supporters’ Player of the Year award – as well as the Bosnian Footballer of the Year award for 2013.
How Begovic would fare at Champions League level remains to be seen, but he’s well experienced in English football, making 223 appearances from League Two upwards, and his 6 foot 6 frame is perfect for the Premier League’s aerial demands.
The Metro rate the Bosnia No.1 around the £12million mark – but also report strong interest from Liverpool.
TIMO HORN
Following the likes of Manuel Neuer and Marc Andre ter Stegen, FC Koln’s Timo Horn is the latest product to emerge from Germany’s goalkeeping conveyor belt.
He played a pivotal role in the club’s promotion from the German second tier last season and has continued to impress in the Bundesliga this year, generating the second-most saves of any goalie, 84 from 28 appearances, whilst claiming ten clean sheets.
That’s seen him become a regular for the Germany U21 squad and emerge on the radars of several top clubs – particularly Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham.
Admittedly, Horn is still a bit of a punt for a club like Arsenal and he recently extended his Koln deal until 2019 – suggesting The Billy Goats won’t be letting him leave on the cheap any time soon.
But if Horn develops towards the same level as his aforementioned compatriots, Arsenal won’t have to worry about their goalkeeping department for the best part of the next decade.
FRASER FORSTER
Southampton’s Fraser Forster may only boast a single campaign’s worth of experience in the English top flight, but if the ultimate litmus test of any great ‘keeper is to remain switched on even when he’s excluded from games for large periods, then the England international has passed with flying colours this year.
Only Manchester City’s Joe Hart has been on the receiving end of less shots per match than Forster’s 9.7 this term, yet top-class saves via the monolithic stature of his 6 foot 7 frame have been aplenty – and especially against the Premier League’s top sides.
A beastly presence with fantastic reflexes, the 27 year-old is shaping up to be a true competitor for Hart’s No.1 jersey within the England fold.
He’s proven at Champions League level too, playing a pivotal role in Celtic’s historic win over Barcelona during his five seasons at Parkhead – where he also broke the club’s clean sheet record with a consecutive eleven.
Whether the Gunners can convince the Saints to part with their No.1 this summer, however, is a different matter. They signed for £10million just a matter of months ago and will likely only be tempted by an enormous mark-up.
SAMIR HANDANOVIC
There’s no debate over who’s been the best goalkeeper in Serie A this year; by a country mile, Inter Milan’s Samir Handanovic.
He’s made 59 saves in 29 appearances whilst keeping nine clean sheets and, perhaps most impressively of all, has kept out seven of the last eight penalties taken against him.
Resultantly, the 30 year-old is widely expected to be selected for the Serie A Team of the Year this term, making it three inclusions in the last four years alongside 2010/11 and 2012/13.
75 caps for Slovenia and The Daily Mail’s listing of him as the ninth-best goalkeeper in the world only further underline Handanovic’s credentials, and despite the enormous financial backing of new Inter president Erick Thohir, the San Siro out could be forced to sell this summer when Handanovic’s contract enters it’s final year.
Handanovic has recently admitted his future in Milan remains uncertain, as reported by talkSPORT. But with Liverpool and Man United already mooted as potential suitors, courtesy of The Express, Arsenal will face competition for his signature.
KEYLOR NAVAS
We already know Real Madrid won’t be parting with Spain icon Iker Casillas this summer and that in turn will likely oblige them to sell deputy Keylor Navas.
Many expected the 28 year-old to emerge as Los Blanco’s new No.1 after his string of sensational World Cup performances for Costa Rica, but he’s gone on to make just nine appearances in all competitions since arriving at the Bernabeu this summer.
There’s no doubting Navas’ quality, however; in addition to those mesmerising displays during the summer, he claimed the 2013/14 LFP Goalkeeper of the Year award for his efforts at Levante, making an incredible 141 saves in 37 appearances, and also became the first ever goalkeeper to win La Liga’s Player of the Month award for his efforts in March 2014.
If Real Madrid sign Manchester United’s David De Gea this summer as expected, the European champions are almost certain to let the South American leave. Reports from Sky Sports last month, however, claim Navas is determined to stay at the Bernabeu and fight for a place in the first team.