Arsenal to make checks on Colombian goalkeeper at World Cup
Published:Arsene Wenger will be keeping a close tabs on Colombian stopper David Ospina at the World Cup with the Nice star reportedly a leading contender to replace departing FA Cup winner Lukasz Fabiankski.
Arsenal are seeking goalkeeping reinforcements after Fabianski left for Swansea City on a free transfer and Emiliano Viviano returned to Palermo following his loan deal.
The north London club have been linked with a number of names around Europe as they look to provide stiff competition for current number one Wojciech Szczesny.
Ospina has emerged as a leading candidate and the Gunners have been watching the 25-year-old, who has won 40 caps for his country, in Ligue 1 at Nice but will make their final decision after watching him in Brazil.
Colombia, who are 28/1 to win the World Cup, are expected to progress from a group featuring Greece, Japan and Ivory Coast and could face a potential second round match against Roy Hodgson’s England.
Impressive performances in South America could tempt Wenger, who will be working as a pundit for French television, to make a concrete move for the Colombian international.
Various reports suggest the two clubs have already held negotiations regarding a £3.5m deal for the former Atletico Nacional goalkeeper but Arsenal have also been linked with Real Madrid star Iker Cassilas, Malaga’s Willy Caballero and St Etienne’s Stephanne Ruffier.
Wenger, fresh from signing his new three-year contract at the Emirates, is also keeping one eye on the future and has been linked to moves Reading star Alex McCarthy and Brighton’s highly rated youngster Christian Walton as he looks to build a squad capable of improving upon last year’s fourth placed finished.
The FA Cup winners, who are 9/1 to win the title next season, spent a large chunk of last season on top of the Premier League but injuries curtailed their title challenge.
Wenger, who has a reported £100m to spend, is desperate not to let that happen again and will strengthen his squad in a bid to turn the club into title challengers once again.
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