Arsenal are plotting a surprise move to bring Wojciech Szczesny back to the club as a backup to David Raya, with Aaron Ramsdale set to depart.
According to The Evening Standard, Wojciech Szczesny has emerged as a surprise name on Arsenal’s list of Aaron Ramsdale’s replacement options. The England international could depart the Emirates due to a lack of game time, with the Gunners keen on landing a homegrown option to replace him, with the £100,000-a-week Serie A winner one of them.
Arsenal to bring Wojciech Szczesny back?
Wojciech Szczesny has had a fantastic career despite leaving Arsenal in acrimonious circumstances following an FA Cup defeat to Southampton. He was fined heavily after being seen smoking in the showers after the defeat, with Arsene Wenger soon showing him the exit door following that incident.
After a successful loan spell at AS Roma, he joined Juventus on a meagre fee and has since established himself as their No.1. He remains Massimiliano Allegri’s first-choice keeper to date. Still, the Bianconeri are reportedly looking to offload one of their current stoppers to make way for Michele Di Gregorio from Monza in the summer.
The £100,000-a-week Serie A winner has tremendous interest from elsewhere, with the 34-year-old likely to have a choice of clubs should he leave Turin. Chelsea have been interested, but now with Arsenal also keen to bring him back, he might consider a move back to the Emirates.
His £100,000-a-week Serie A winner’s wages are a big problem for Arsenal if they are to consider a deal, although their main requirement is to bring someone homegrown. Szczesny came through the Arsenal academy, which made him a homegrown star, but in order to make his return to the Emirates, the Pole must accept that he would play second fiddle to David Raya.
Other alternatives to replace Aaron Ramsdale
There are some more names thrown in the equation to replace Aaron Ramsdale, who has Newcastle United chasing his signature. Brighton’s Jason Steele is a name on Arsenal’s list, while there have been rumours of an interest in Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson.
Mikel Arteta will want a player who can play in the way he wants, and for that reason alone, Steele makes more sense, even as a backup. However, the Seagulls star has shared game time with Bart Verbruggen this term between the sticks, although, at the Emirates, Raya remains the undisputed choice to start games.
