Wenger targets Valdes

Arsene Wenger has been trying in vain to find a world-class keeper for the Gunners for quite some time now. Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone have all failed to fill the gap left by Jens Lehmann and now even Wojciech Szczęsny – who many saw as the answer to Wenger’s goalkeeping nightmares – is failing to impress.

The Polish international is still only 22, but it seems as if Wenger has lost faith in his young stopper and it is no secret that the Frenchman tried to sign Pepe Reina last year.

This time around its hardly surprising that Arsenal aren’t too keen to refresh their interest in the Liverpool man after his poor run of form, but according to the Sun they are considering a move for another Spanish international.

Apparently Victor Valdes, who has stated he is keen to play in England, is one of the north London club’s top targets his summer. The 31-year-old is refusing to sign a new contract at his current club Barcelona and could well be tempted by a move to the Emirates.

Valdes’ £120,000 a week wages will surely present something of a problem to any potential deal however. Wenger is famously proud of his clubs ‘socialist’ wage structure so would he really be prepared to pay an ageing keeper such a high wage? Especially after the fuss that was made over Theo Walcott’s incredibly tedious contract negotiations.

Jack Johnson

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