The Gunners have approached Kasper Schmeichel…
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Arsenal have offered a contract to Danish stopper Kasper Schmeichel, reports Danish publication BT.
The son of legendary Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel, Kasper’s contract with Championship outfit Leicester City expires in the summer, and the Gunners are keen to take advantage of this and snare him on a free.
The 27-year-old has been nothing short of magnificent for the Foxes, who have romped to the Championship title, and will be playing Premier League football next season as a result.
Schmeichel has conceded just 50 goals, and has started every one of the 45 matches so far. In fact, he hasn’t missed a league fixture for over three seasons now, and it’s his consistency and shot stopping that have alerted the attention of some bigger clubs.
As well as Arsenal, the report claims European heavyweights like AC Milan and Olympiakos have offered Schmeichel a deal, as have fellow Premier League side Southampton.
The Gunners need a new keeper this summer, with current backup Lukasz Fabianski leaving the Emirates on the expiration of his contract. The Pole has done well when deployed this term, but is keen to move for first-team football, and has not signed an extension as a result.
On loan Italian Emiliano Viviano will be returning to Italy, meaning manager Arsene Wenger will need to sign another stopper to compete with Wojciech Szczesny in time for 2014/15.
Szczesny has had a decent season between Arsenal’s sticks, but his boss is keen to provide him with genuine competition for the no.1 jersey.
The 24-year-old Pole has many similar characteristics to Schmeichel, as both pride themselves on their shot-stopping, but are capable of making the odd blunder as well.
Szczesny’s Premier League experience is better than Schmeichel’s though, with the Dane not having played in the top flight since a sole appearance for Manchester City back in 2008/09.
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