Arsenal are reportedly looking to land Emil Audero, who is on loan at Sampdoria from Juventus, as the long-term replacement for Petr Cech.

According to reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Arsenal are lining up Emil Audero as a possible option to replace Petr Cech, who is set to call time on his career at the end of the season. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is currently on loan at Sampdoria from Juventus, although he is enticed by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

Emil Audero progressed through the ranks at Juventus, having joined the club’s youth setup over a decade ago. But, the presence of club and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon meant that he could never secure a passage through to regular first-team football, only making a single league appearance for the Bianconeri as a result.

Audero spent last term on loan at Venezia before embarking on another season-long spell at Sampdoria, who would provide him his first full season at a top-flight club. And, his exploits with the Blucerchiati have certainly not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal setting their sights on him.

That way to Arsenal? (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
That way to Arsenal? (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The Gunners did bolster their goalkeeping department last summer by signing Bern Leno, who has gone on to become the first-choice custodian at Emirates. But, with Petr Cech recently announcing that he will be hanging up his gloves at the end of this season, Arsenal have been forced into the transfer market for a shot stopper.

David Ospina, who joined Napoli on loan last summer, is likely to make his stay at San Paolo a permanent one, meaning Arsenal need to identify a replacement option for the retiring Cech.

Keylor Navas was believed to be one of the targets for the Gunners, but the Costa Rican is unlikely to join the North Londoners. Audero is thus, a viable target for Arsenal, having showcased his abilities in an incredible campaign wherein he has been an ever present for Sampdoria in Serie A, replacing Emiliano Viviano so well.

As per the report, Audero is also keen on making his way to the Premier League, despite his status at Sampdoria. Arsenal will, therefore, fancy their chances of landing the Juventus loanee, even though the Blucerchiati intend to exercise their option to buy the 22-year-old outright in the summer transfer window.

That he might have to play second fiddle to Leno at Arsenal is unlikely to faze the Italian under-21 international either, with Unai Emery showing that he is willing to reward players for outstanding performance with first-choice roles.

Arsenal though, still need to stave off Sampdoria, and it remains to be seen if they can beat the Serie A outfit to the Juventus loanee’s signature in the summer. For now, what remains certain is that Audero is unlikely to stay put at Juve, with Wojciech Szczesny and Mattia Perin being the two goalkeepers of choice for Massimiliano Allegri.

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