Iker Casillas Would Be Wise to Push for Transfer to Arsenal

Iker Casillas is a wanted man these days, and not just not by his own club. With other options available, the goalkeeper should push to get a transfer completed to Arsenal.

The veteran has found his way onto Arsene Wenger's long list of targets for the summer, according to John Drayton of Daily Mail. While Arsenal have struggled to bring in top talent during the transfer window, this deal simply makes too much sense not to get done.

Casillas has become available after he lost his starting job midway through last season under Jose Mourinho, something that caused the player serious anguish with sleepless nights, according to Dermot Corrigan of ESPN. 

After once again being passed over in favor of Diego Lopez in Real Madrid's first match of the season, it became clear that the talented player should find a new place where he can get onto the pitch.

Based on his regular performance for the Spanish national team and his handful of appearances during the preseason, there is no doubt that the 32-year-old keeper can still get it done. It simply comes down to finding a place with the best opportunity.

Ben Jefferson of The Express reports that Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in acquiring Casillas. He is apparently leaning toward United if the club sells David de Gea to Barcelona. 

The problem is that it might be too soon for all of these deals to be completed.

Victor Valdes remains the regular keeper for Barca, and he will not need to be replaced until after the season when his contract is up. This means that the Spanish club would have to have two top keepers on their team, something they might not want to pay for.

On the other hand, the situation would be just as bad at United if de Gea stays. The defending EPL champs would want to give their young star regular playing time, and once again would not have to pay the wages for two top keepers.

This could lead to Casillas spending more time on the bench for yet another club.

As far as the Chelsea rumours are concerned, this simply makes no sense with Mourinho now in charge at Stamford Bridge. Petr Cech is also firmly on the first team, leaving few starts available for anyone else.

However, Arsenal represents a great move for both sides. The club is coming off a terrible start to the season when it lost 3-1 to Aston Villa. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny struggled mightily in the match, and he has been quite inconsistent over the past few seasons.

Casillas would represent a big upgrade in goal, and the veteran would be virtually guaranteed starts for a Champions League club looking to contend for a league title.

Of all of the options available, Arsenal represents the best mix of talent on the roster, while it also offers elite competition and the opportunity to get onto the first team. These are all certainly important factors to look for in a World Cup year.

Considering Casillas is no longer needed at Real Madrid, he should do what it takes to force a move to the Premier League club before the end of the transfer window.

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