Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle each other in the summer for Jan Oblak, who has a €100 million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
According to Spanish publication AS, Atletico Madrid might have to delve into the summer transfer window in search of a new goalkeeper. Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in their first-choice custodian Jan Oblak, who could be set to move to the Premier League in the summer.
It has been reported since long that Jan Oblak’s Atletico Madrid contract contains a €100 million release clause, which is a hefty price tag for a goalkeeper and a potential world record fee, if someone was to activate the buyout clause. But, with the inflated nature of the market and ever-increasing price tags, it might not be long before clubs are ready to meet the seemingly absurd fee to snap up Oblak.
Jan Oblak has conceded just 57 goals in 107 league games for Atlético aswell as keeping 65 clean sheets.
— ? (@ChrisvLFC) March 16, 2018
Oblak has established himself as one of the safest pair of gloves in world football currently, boasting an impressive record of 22 shutouts in 35 matches thus far this season, with just 16 goals conceded in the process. It is this form that has seen the Atletico Madrid man being linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.
At Arsenal, a new goalkeeper is very much on the agenda, especially with Petr Cech showing signs of age catching up with his reflexes. David Ospina has looked good whenever given a chance. But, the club will still need to find a long-term quality replacement for the Czech Republic legend.
Arsenal have been linked with several goalkeepers recently, but have maintained an interest in Oblak for quite a while now. With the Gunners finally catching pace with other heavy spenders – they have broken their club record fee twice in two transfer windows – the club could bankroll a move for Oblak.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have seen both their goalkeepers disappoint on different occasions. The Reds, thus, are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper before the new campaign. While they were first linked with Alisson, Jurgen Klopp seemed to have shifted his sight towards Jack Butland.
But, if Oblak becomes available, Liverpool could decide to rival Arsenal for the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper. €100 million does seem like a lot. But, given the fact that Oblak is just 25 and could serve either club for at least the next decade or so, if he ends up signing, makes the fee look minimal if apportioned over potential years of service.
Oblak has proven himself to be one of the best custodians and could be tempted by the prospect of a grander audience and a wider fanbase. Premier League could see another great goalkeeper arrive from Spain this summer, be it at Liverpool or Arsenal.
