Udinese slap £17M price tag on Arsenal target

Udinese have placed a hefty £17 million price-tag on reported Arsenal target Samir Handanovic.

The 27-year-old Slovenia international, who is rated by Italian legend Dino Zoff as one of ‘the best goalkeepers in Serie A’, recently admitted that he would consider a move to a bigger club in order to enhance his ability and develop his reputation.

However, Udinese president Franco Soldati wants to keep hold of the 6’4’’ shot-stopper, unless they receive an offer which is too good to turn down – preferably one from outside Italy.

Soldati was quoted in Italian publication Gazetta dello Sport saying:

‘He is not for sale unless we get a tempting offer from outside Udinese.’

Even though Handanovic is under contract at Udinese until June 2016, Arsenal may be tempted to fork out the cash and acquire the Slovenian, especially if Lukasz Fabianski, who recently expressed his discontent at the Emirates, leaves in January.

£17 million for a goalkeeper is an extremely hefty sum, but I think it is a justified valuation for Handanovic. The Slovenian has excellent reflexes, is dominant in the air and his positioning is second to none – he had two great performances against us in both Champions League play-off ties as well.

If Fabianski leaves, then the purchase of Handanovic should be considered, if not in January then definitely next summer.

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