Arsenal Transfer News: Wojciech Szczesny Deal Rumours, Julian Draxler Blow
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to send goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on loan to Serie A side Roma for the upcoming season.
Simon Jones of MailOnline writes that the Italian side will pay an initial £250,000 for the Polish international, whose first-team chances at the Emirates look bleak after the arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea. The piece claims Roma wanted to sign Szczesny on a permanent deal but that it "did not suit the player or Arsenal at this stage."
As noted by WhoScored.com, the 25-year-old hasn't inspired much confidence when given opportunities in the team:
Indeed, after showing some fine early potential when given chances by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, the goalkeeper has been unable to rid his game of the erraticism that was on show last season.
As a shot-stopper, he’s one of the best in the Premier League. But in terms of mature decision-making, savvy distribution and command of his area, Szczesny has made little progress since becoming a regular feature in the Arsenal squad.
Nonetheless, as noted by Arsenal News, the goalkeeper has had some iconic moments during his time between the sticks for the Gunners:
For a team looking to challenge for major honours, a world-class goalkeeper is paramount. The Londoners now have that in situ in Cech and David Ospina, a reliable back-up who has proved to be a capable operator. Sadly, this has left Szczesny on the fringes, and a spell away from the Emirates was inevitable.
Arsenal’s reluctance to say a permanent farewell suggests they still have faith in the Pole’s qualities. A new league, increased responsibility and a fresh challenge may be exactly what the player needs if he’s to make good on the prodigious talent he once showcased.
Juventus Closing In on Julian Draxler
Arsenal’s longstanding links to Schalke starlet Julian Draxler could be ended in earnest, with reports suggesting the Germany international is close to a move to Juventus.
As noted by David Wright of the Daily Express, the Gunners have been admirers of the 21-year-old midfielder. But he writes that, according to Sky Sport Italia, the player and the Bianconeri are negotiating personal terms on a deal despite no transfer fee being agreed yet.
Here’s why the Gunners have apparently preserved an interest in the player:
Draxler would have been a fine purchase for Arsenal. The Schalke man is a cerebral talent, a wonderful dribbler and a classy technician. But given the surfeit of options available to Wenger in attacking midfield, his signing would have been an indulgence rather than a necessity.
Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft claimed on social media that a deal between Arsenal and Draxler was once close:
But it seems as though Juventus is now the player's most likely destination, and after losing key players such as Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez, the team will rely on the youngster to shoulder some of the attacking responsibility.
German football expert Raphael Honigstein doesn’t think a deal is done quite yet, though:
Still, it’d be strange to see Arsenal swoop at this late stage. Having landed Cech, the base of an often flimsy midfield should be Wenger’s next port of call this summer before an orthodox No. 9 is looked at who can fire the club to the title.
Even though he’s ludicrously talent, Draxler would be a luxury buy.
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