Arsenal are reportedly interested in Gillingham goalkeeper Tomas Holy, but face competition from several Premier League clubs in pursuit of the Czech stopper.
According to Mirror, Arsenal are not done with their summer transfer business. The Gunners are taking a keen interest in Czech goalkeeper Tomas Holy. The Gillingham stopper is also on the radar of Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Everton, with the Gunners likely to have to compete with them if they are to pursue the star.
Tomas Holy found his way to England after being released by Sparta Prague. After the 26-year-old joined the League One outfit in January, 2017, the player slotted straight into the starting eleven. To date, Holy has 51 league appearances with a modest record of just 10 shutouts.
His association with Gillingham though, looks set to end, with the player likely to be afforded a lifeline – a move to the Premier League. While the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough are interested as well, Premier League clubs like Arsenal, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton lead the pile of suitors.
At Arsenal, Bernd Leno is the newest arrival in the goalkeeping department. The German is likely to command the first-choice spot at the club. While the Gunners do have Petr Cech and David Ospina, the two of them are being touted to be on their way out, meaning Arsenal need a cover for Leno.
Everton do have the experienced Maarten Stekelenburg to cover for Jordan Pickford. But, the latter has recently become a priority target for Chelsea. Should Pickford end up leaving, Everton will need to add a goalkeeper, even if Stekelenburg is made the first-choice.
While Crystal Palace are interested as well, they are pretty well stocked in the goalkeeping department. Vicente Guaita is likely to be the first-choice for the Eagles. But, the London outfit also have the likes of Julian Speroni and Wayne Hennessey to cover for the Spaniard.
West Ham could also be in need of a cover for new signing Lukasz Fabianski, who is likely to push Adrian down the pecking order. Should the Spaniard choose to leave in search of regular football, Holy could be an option to be brought in as cover for the former Swansea man.
Who is Tomas Holy? Meet the giant Gillingham keeper who has attracted Arsenal’s attention https://t.co/PyZbdnmJi9 pic.twitter.com/p7QafHaLnR
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 29, 2018
As far as Gillingham are concerned, the club is ready to promote Tom Hadler to be the first-choice, should Tomas Holy leave. The revenue raked in from Holy’s sale will likely be used to reinforce other areas as the club aims to push for a top-half finish for the 2018-19 League One campaign.
The signing of somewhat experienced covers in the goalkeeping department has become a trend of sorts, in the Premier League at least. Chelsea have always been the pioneers in this department and have recently secured the signature of Robert Green. Manchester United on the other hand, brought in the experienced Lee Grant from Stoke City.
Holy will have a decision to make in the near future. It will be up to the player to choose between regular football in League One or to act as cover and play sparsely in the Premier League.
