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With there a very real chance that Aaron Ramsdale secures a move away from the Emirates Stadium in the final month of the window, Mikel Arteta is keen to avoid being left short in the goalkeeping department.
HITC understands that Ramsdale, who lost his place to David Raya last term, has a host of top-flight admirers.
Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leicester City, Wolves and former employers AFC Bournemouth are also keen. Arsenal are now also ready to consider loan offers, their £40 million price-tag having made a permanent departure unlikely.
But while 22-year-old Karl Hein has impressed during the pre-season tour of the USA, HITC have been told that Arsenal will still look to bring in a replacement shot-stopper if indeed Ramsdale does say his goodbyes.
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in Londo...
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Arsenal eye Wojciech Szczesny if Aaron Ramsdale leaves
In conjunction with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cani, The Gunners are considering a range of options.
Joan Garcia is one Arsenal have sounded out. The 23-year-old former Spain Under 21 international currently plays for RCD Espanyol in his home country.
Garcia was outstanding last season, playing a major role as Espanyol secured their return to La Liga via a play-off victory over Real Oviedo.
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There is, meanwhile, another name on Arsenal’s radar. One that will be far more familiar to those in North London.
The hugely experienced Wojciech Szczesny spent 11 years with The Gunners until his move to Juventus back in 2017. HITC have been told that Arsenal are keeping very close tabs on Szczesny’s situation ahead of what could be an emotional homecoming for the now-34-year-old Poland shot-stopper.
Szczesny is expected to lose his spot as Juve’s number one after the Serie A giants brought in Michele di Gregorio from Monza.
There has been interest from ambitious Serie A newcomers Como. Former Arsenal team-mate Cesc Fabregas is the club’s head coach, while Raphael Varane was lured to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia after his Manchester United contract expired.
Como are now out of the race, however, after bringing in former Inter Milan glovesman Emil Audero.
Talks over a potential £400,000-a-week move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr have also broken down. As such, a return to Arsenal remains a possibility.
A surprise Emirates return may be on the cards
Szczesny – who was recently linked with a shock switch to Tottenham Hotspur – would also count as a ‘homegrown’ player from a Financial Fair Play perspective. This is because he rose through the ranks at London Colney before making his senior debut under Arsene Wenger back in September 2009.
Szczesny has spent nine years in Italy after leaving Arsenal to the tune of £10 million, including two years on loan at AS Roma.
He has won three Serie A titles in Turin, albeit none since 2020.
Arsenal have already done business with one Italy-based club this summer. Riccardo Calafiori joins an already rock-solid backline to the tune of £34 million, arriving after helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League and after excelling for Italy at the European Championships.
“He has shown that he is a great footballer,” former Rossoblu team-mate Giovanni Fabbian tells Tuttomercatoweb. “He had a perfect year and now there is this leap for him.
“I really wish him the best. In addition to being a great player, he is also a great guy. The whole team has grown as a squad, the group has made the difference.”
Arsenal are also now closing in on a potential £25 million deal for Spain midfielder Mikel Merino. The one-time Newcastle United man only has one year left on his Real Sociedad contract and appears keen on a return to England.
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