Arsene Wenger has placed Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina the top of his summer spending
plans as the Arsenal boss looks to bring in a top level keeper who
can help steady his defence. The Gunners manager believes that a
great deal of his defensive problems have arisen due to the fact
that his crop of goalkeepers do not inspire confidence in the
defenders in front of them and as such he will look to make a big
money offer for the Spanish international.
Manuel Almunia has returned to his spot as first team starter
due to default and made a horrendous error away at West Brom to
further compound errors the Spaniard made earlier in the season
which led to him being dropped. Lukasz Fabianski was then drafted
in and though much improved the Polish keeper still makes
elementary mistakes that Wenger is trying to eliminate.
The Arsenal boss is likely to sell Vito Mannone as the Italian
looks to secure first team football elsewhere and Wojciech Szczesny
has shown great potential but may be considered too raw to be a
first choice keeper. Wenger has already reportedly had one offer
for Pepe Reina turned down but
will look to force the issue with a big money offer this
summer.
The Arsenal boss will offer up to £20m for the 28 year old
Madrid born custodian and quotes attributed to Reina will give
Wenger hope of sealing the deal. The former Villarreal man has
stated his desire to play Champions League football and it looks
likely that for the second season in a row he will not be getting
to see action in the premier European club competition with
Liverpool.
Reina is one of the most consistent keepers in the English top
tier and he may well feel that his chances of pushing Real Madrid
keeper Iker Casillas for a spot in the Spanish national team may be
aided by a move to the Emirates.
*Where do you think Reina will be next season? Don't be shy,
make your guess now.
1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Manchester United
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