Arsenal Miss Out On A Surprising Goalkeeper Target While Another Striker Target Bows Out

Arsene Wenger is on a verge of missing out yet another of his summer target. This time, it’s under the bar. If reports are to be believed, French side AS Monaco is closing on a deal for Portuguese goalie Rui Patricio. The 25 year old player currently serves Sporting Lisbon as the preeminent goalkeeper. (But wait, when was he ever linked with Arsenal?)

According to the Express, Wenger has been keen to provide a tough competition for his leading goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Rui Patricio was one of his targets. His search for a substantial alternative led him to the Portuguese club and consequently Patricio impressed him. He gave a proposal of £10m for the player in the month of May. But much to Frenchman’s misfortune, Lisbon turned down the offer as the club was reluctant to accept any offer less than £13m. But surprisingly, Monaco may seal the offer on a mere £9m.

Not only Patricio, Asmir Begovic and Hamburg’s Rene Adler are also in the failed list of Wenger’s summer target. Now it is the ideal time for Wenger to look for Spaniard Victor Valdes. Valdes, currently a Barcelona goalkeeper, has refused to renew his contract with the Catalan club. His contract with the Spanish club will be over after next year and he will be considered as a Bosman transfer.

So, it is quite evident that the Spanish giants will be eager to sell him off this season and a negotiable bid can bring the 31-year old to the Emirates this summer.

In other news, AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy has reportedly turned down any chance of moving to Arsenal or Chelsea. The player has been linked with both the London clubs earlier this season, but the Italian international is adamant that he will pursue his career at San Siro for the time being.

“I’ve always been convinced of my decisions, so I never thought about changing team,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I have been a Milan fan since childhood, so being here is a dream come true. I would never have left, not even faced with an offer from Real Madrid. I’d have said no to any team. It’s also true that concrete requests from the so-called ‘big’ clubs never really developed. I want to be here for a long time and write Milan history.”

 The 20-year old striker appeared 46 times for AC Milan last season and netted 19 goals. He has a contract with the club till 2018.