According to Santi Cazorla, Arsenal are one of several teams who would like to sign Iker Casillas when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
Although he’s still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in world football, these have been a very difficult past couple of years for Casillas. Jose Mourinho dropped him in favour of Diego Lopez last season, and despite Carlo Ancelotti since succeeding the Portuguese coach, the Italian has felt no need to recall the 32-year-old.
The Spanish international remains under contract at the Bernabeu for another three years, but there is a growing feeling he may consider the unthinkable and leave the club he has served since initially linking up with them as a 9-year-old in 1990. Should that be his decision, Cazorla claims one option would be a move to Arsenal.
“I’ve told Iker I would like him to join Arsenal,” he told Sport360. “But so far he has just been curious about my experience in England. His situation is very complicated, but he has to make a decision. Lots of clubs want him, including Arsenal. But I think it would be very difficult to leave Real because he knows what he has at Madrid.”
To leave Los Blancos would be a huge move for Casillas, who has spent his entire career in the capital of his country. But if he does decide on a fresh challenge, there would be no shortage of offers for his signature, and the Gunners could even be challenged by Premier League rivals Manchester City who are also said to be interested.
If the shot-stopper were to move to the Emirates Stadium, it would be a big blow to Wojciech Szczesny who seems to have rediscovered his best form this season. The Poland international suffered a dip last term, but he has been an ever-present in the league this time round and has re-established himself as one of the best in the business.
However, Cazorla isn’t the first of his team-mates to risk the wrath of the 23-year-old, after Olivier Giroud hinted that Hugo Lloris would be a good addition to Arsene Wenger’s side earlier this season. Maybe the French striker only made the comments about his compatriot to rile rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but Szczesny is unlikely to have been impressed.
Of more pressing need for the Gunners than a goalkeeper is a new right fullback, with Bacary Sagna expected to leave when his contract expires in the summer. One potential option could be Toulouse youngster Serge Aurier, who has been linked with the capital club and has now revealed he would jump at the chance of making such a switch.
“You cannot refuse Arsenal,” the 21-year-old Ivory Coast international told Foot Mercato. “You can ask any player if he would play for Arsenal and I think he would respond positively without hesitation. It is certain that Arsenal is a dream. Everyone would like to play in England and the Premier League, which is the league that suits me the most.”
Meanwhile, Rubin Kazan forward Sardar Azmoun claims he already has an offer to join Arsenal during the summer window. The 19-year-old, who has three goals in 10 league appearances this season, also claims to have been approached by Italian giants Juventus and Milan, and he will take his time in the coming months to consider his options.
“I have offers from three major clubs: Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus,” the Iranian told showNavad. “The talks with both Milan and Arsenal are getting very serious. Both clubs have spoken to Kazan. But for me, it’s important to keep focus on Kazan. We have seven games left, I will decide after these games. I’m very proud to have Arsenal looking at me but, as I said, right now I’m only focusing on the Russian league.”
