Arsenal Transfers: Federico Marchetti In, Manuel Almunia Out?

Finally Arsene Wenger and his fans can see a new face in their goal. Federico Marchetti is the new target for Arsenal to add a solid strength to their goal and it seems like the deal is going to be done this time.

Arsenal had been in a goalkeeper hunt after their No. 1 choice Manuel Almunia failed to move up to the level and impress the fans.

Almunia had been blamed for his silly positioning and conceding goals at times and it was clear that Wenger and his men could not steer ahead without a good replacement of Almunia.

Arsenal's secondary choice Fabianski was not good enough to become a first choice at the Emirates. Hence, an outside replacement is the need of the hour.

Let us take a look at what the recent reports say.

Cagilari's goalkeeper Marchetti expected a move to Sampdoria but the move failed due to Cagilari demanding too much money for the transfer, thus ruining Marchetti's chances of playing in Champion's League. 

The Italian goalkeeper was the second choice to his team and replaced an injured Gianluigi Buffon at goal in 2010 World Cup.

Though Italy showed up poor performances and got eliminated from the World Cup, Marchetti had already impressed eyes over the world and has been a hot target in the summer transfer market.

Recently, Cagilari has again decided to sell their man and this draws serious attention from Arsene Wenger. Wenger has been a keen admirer of the Italian talent and is heading the race to sign the man.

Wenger has also made his move before for the Fulham shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer but the Fulham management is in no mood to sell their No. 1, and so Wenger has Marchetti at the top of his radar.

Aged at 27, the Italian man has made his way to be a natural heir to Italy's legendary Buffon and is admired for his powerful aerial interventions, confident ball handling, and also for his super courageous moves off the line to get the ball out of the forwards' control. 

Almunia has been said to be linked with a move to Osasuna in Spain and Arsenal is also being linked with Igor Akinfeev from Russia.

However, it seems that Federico Marchetti ranks the top in Wenger's radar and a price tag in the range of £10m-£15m would be sufficient to lure and land the Italian star.

Arsenal at the moment needs a man at the back, and Federico Marchetti can be the solution—the name their game has been looking for.