Espanyol ‘keeper Castilla staying in Spain.
There is some bad news for Arsenal in their pursuit of Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla who has pledged his future to his current club.
The 27-year-old has emerged as a transfer target for the Gunners as Lukasz Fabianski is expected to leave north London in the summer and Emiliano Viviano will end his loan spell.
There are also some question marks over the long-term suitability of Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks as the Pole continues to show signs of inconsistency and manager Arsene Wenger has identified Casilla as the ideal signing, according to talkSPORT.
However, the star from Catalonia has ruled out a summer move from Espanyol and is hoping to extend his stay at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat beyond 2015 – when the Spaniard’s current contract expires.
“I have one year left of my contract and I always keep to what I have signed. In addition, the renewal will be arranged,” Casilla told El Mundo Deportivo.
“At Espanyol I am playing and enjoying my football. 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.”
This term the stopper has impressed between the sticks and has conceded 34 goals in 29 league games to help guide his team to 10th in the table.
Casilla first arrived at Espanyol in 2007 and has since played 81 matches for the club in all competitions, after only truly breaking into the first team on a regular basis in 2011.
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