Inter Milan goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has emerged as an £8 million summer target for Arsenal, according to several reports.
It is believed that Arsene Wenger will make a move for the 25-year-old shot-stopper as soon as he manages to offload Manuel Almunia.
The Serie A club only recently paid Bologna a reported £4.1 million to obtain the full services of Viviano, who had been co-owned by both clubs.
However, it is understood that Viviano, who made 39 appearances for Bologna last season, would more than likely welcome a move to the Emirates this summer to battle Wojciech Szczesny for the number one spot, rather than being Julio Cesar’s understudy at the San Siro.
A majority of Arsenal fans, as well as former players and pundits, have all called on Wenger to acquire an experienced shot-stopper this summer, after a series of mishaps cost the Gunners dearly last season.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of shot-stoppers already this summer, with Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said to be on top of Wenger’s list. However, the £20 million price-tag for the France international has somewhat scared off Wenger, and as such, the Arsenal boss has targeted a much cheaper and efficient option in Emiliano Viviano.
With the departure of Almunia highly likely this summer (here’s hoping), Wenger will undoubtedly need to recruit another goalkeeper in order to bolster this area of his squad.
In my view, the new recruit shouldn’t be one that can push Szczesny, who was superb last season, out of the starting line-up, but definitely one that can offer competition for his place.
I believe an £8 million move for Viviano this summer should definitely be considered by Wenger, as the Italian certainly looks a very talented goalkeeper.
Here is a video of Emiliano in action:
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the video clip shows he is shot stOpper..just like all our goalies.
Absolutely nothing about his Skills with crosses…
NOT A VIABLE OPTION!
Viviano has been receiving some great reviews for a couple of years now and Paolo Baldini from The Guardian who writes exclusively on Serie A named him the league’s best keeper last season.
He’s definitely in the running to be Italy’s number 1 in the near future, especially with Buffon constantly injured and not getting younger or better.