According to Santi Cazorla, Arsenal are weighing up a summer move for Real Madrid outcast Iker Casillas.
The experienced goalkeeper has fallen out-of-favour under Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, with Diego Lopez being the Italian’s preferred choice.
Casillas was once linked with a move to Arsenal and Cazorla now seems to think that the Gunners are again monitoring the Spaniard’s situation as they look to find stern yet healthy competition for Wojciech Szczesny.
Cazorla recently signed a new deal at the Emirates until 2016 and would like Casillas to join him at Arsenal this summer, but says it would be hard for the 32-year-old to leave his boyhood club:
The Spanish midfielder said:
‘I’ve told him [I would like him to join Arsenal], 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 that it would be very difficult to leave Real Madrid because of what the club represents.
‘He knows what he has [at Madrid] and what he could find at another club.’
There is no doubt that we need to sign another goalkeeper when the summer transfer window opens. Although Szczesny has the ability he can at times be clumsy and make silly errors. The Polish shot-stopper needs competition and Casillas would certainly provide that and more.
Casillas’ position at Real doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon and if he does decide to leave Spain and move to England then we should definitely attempt to bring him to the Emirates. He possesses a wealth of experience, has great reflexes and command of his area and, more importantly, he has the winning mentality having won a dozen or so trophies with Real.
If the price is right then it’s a no-brainer in my opinion. Despite not playing regularly, Casillas is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world and would be an excellent addition to our squad this summer.
