Emiliano Viviano’s agent says he’s been speaking with North London outfit since July.
Arsenal deadline day signing Emiliano Viviano has been in talks with the club since 1 July, according to the goalkeeper’s agent.
The arrival of the 27-year-old Italian on a season-long loan deal slipped under the radar with fans and media alike focussed on the Gunners’ £42.4m signing of Mesut Ozil but Viviano is expected to challenge current number one Wojciech Szczesny for a spot in Arsene Wenger’s first team.
Wenger was heavily criticised for his hesitation in the transfer market, with only youngster Yaya Sanogo arriving before late August, when Ozil and Viviano were joined by Mathieu Flamini.
But Viviano’s agent Claudio Vigorelli has revealed Arsenal have been interested in his client since the beginning of July and also had an interest in other goalkeepers, including QPR’s Julio Cesar.
“We knew that the Arsenal were looking for a goalkeeper, since July 1st I was talking with the London club that also had other names on the list, for example Julio Cesar,” Vigorelli told Calciomercato.
“At the end, with a little luck and conviction on the part of Arsenal we were able to close the loan deal.”
Asked why Fiorentina did not exercise their option to buy Viviano after his loan spell there last season, Vigorelli replied:
“The Arsenal manager Wenger considered Viviano a reliable goalkeeper. Wenger has used beautiful words for Emilaino and, in the end, it is better that Fiorentina made other choices since Viviano now plays with one of the most prestigious clubs in the world and in the most important league in Europe in my optinion.
“Emiliano must now win the trust of the coach and a place in the team, working seriously as he has always done.”
COMMENTS