Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has ruled out a summer move to Arsenal by stating that he would prefer to stay in Spain next season.
The 27-year-old was being looked at by Arsene Wenger as a replacement for current Gunners number two keeper Łukasz Fabiańsk while doubt still persist over the long term suitability of Wojciech Szczęsny as the Arsenal number one.
Casilla is one of the most respected goalkeepers in Spain with Real Madrid also tracking him as a possible replacement for the popular Iker Casillas.
Talks between the keeper and Espanyol over a new contract have stalled even though both sides have agreed a new deal should run until 2018 yet cannot come to an agreement over a release clause in the Spaniards contract.
Casillas though he given the La Liga club hope of sorting it all out by telling Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo and quoted by TalkSport:”I have one year left of my contract and I always keep what I have signed. In addition, the renewal will be arranged. At Espanyol I am playing and enjoying. Here I feel very comfortable and I have always said that I want to stay.
“I do not know much about the renewal nor do I want to know until it is all done. My role is to be focused on the job and contribute my bit to the team. I insist that I will play here next year.”
