Reports: Arsenal close to signing Colombian World Cup star

Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina close to Arsenal switch?

Colombian keeper David Ospina is closing in on a switch to Arsenal after the North London club reportedly came to an agreement with OGC Nice regarding the transfer fee.

According to reports from French media outlet Nice Matin, the Gunners are willing to pay €4million up front for the services of the keeper, which could rise to €5million depending on bonus payments.

The goalkeeper situation at Arsenal has been in the doldrums ever since Jens Lehmann left the Gunners in 2008.

Although, Wojciech Szcz?sny had his most promising season between the posts last time around, Arsene Wenger would like to bring in competition for the Polish international after the departure of Luis Fabianski to Swansea this off-season.

Ospina came to the fore in the recently concluded FIFA World Cuo in Brazil, where he helped his team to a spot in the quarter-finals.

Ospina made his debut for Colombia at the age of 18 after making his professional bow for Atletico Nacional at only 17.

OGC Nice snapped him up at the tender age of 19 as a replacement for the departing Hugo Lloris, who was leaving for Lyon in 2008.

With the transfer fee termed to be around only £3m this would certainly represent one of the most shrewd pieces of business this off-season for the shot-stopper.

Ospina shouldn’t have any problems commanding the box in the cross-heavy Premier League, having come out to claim more (12) crosses than any other goalkeeper at the World Cup.