By ’Tayo Amosu
September 18, 2014
According to yet another sudden report from Le 10 Sport in France, Arsenal is leading the chase to signing Real Madrid veteran goal keeper, Iker Casillas in January.
Arsenal was said to have agreed terms with Real Madrid over the shot stopper’s transfer over the summer but it wasn’t to be as the Gunners got David Ospina the Colombian goal keeper instead.
The 33-year-old is reportedly frustrated at the way he has been treated by the European Champions’ coaches and has endured a torrid time at the Bernabeu Stadium for the past year, playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez in 36 of their 38 La Liga matches last term.
His issues started with Jose Mourinho, towards the end of the season, in the Portuguese coach’s time at the club last year.
Casillas, whose woes continued into the last season, had to make transfer plans by reason of his club’s acquisition of Keylor Navas, the Costa Rican goalkeeper, from fellow La Liga outfit, Levante.
However, despite the fact that his main threat Diego Lopez has moved away from Real Madrid to AC Milan and Casillas back in Ancelotti’s plans, Le 10 Sport in France still believes the player is poised for a move in January and Arsenal is leading the 2 horse race which also involves Monaco.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Spanish number one with his teammates suffered a shameful exit, with the player conceding 7 goals from 2 matches.
However, it is worthy of note that despite his dip in form in recent times, Iker Casillas still stands as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in world football today.
The keeper has won 5 La Liga and 3 UEFA Champions’ League titles for Real Madrid plus 2 European Championships and 1 World Cup for Spain.
Keylor Navas who had a splendid World Cup has reportedly signed for the Real Madrid and that portends more woes for the Spanish number one because that may mean him being a 3rd choice goal keeper for his childhood club in Madrid.
From an Arsenal fan’s angle, questions as to the authenticity of this report would emanate from a depth of sensibilities, to obtain answers to why it has to be a French Sports outfit, known as Le 10 Sport, reporting this.
A big player and an international brand like Casillas may be a subject of a move away from his club, but at least more attention would be given to news if it came from reputable sports outfit in Spain and not France (not taking anything away from Le 10 Sport).
Also, with Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina at the club, one would really doubt if Arsene Wenger would deliberately bring Iker Casillas to Arsenal to continue his bench warming situation at Arsenal.
Doubtful, again, is the speculation that the gaffer would make him number 1 ahead of Szczesny and Ospina.
With Damien Martinez recently promoted to the senior team as 3rd choice, a move for any goal keeper, no matter how highly rated and respected, may not see the light of the day, except Arsene Wenger has something clandestine up his sleeves.
