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Arsenal are lining up a contract offer to former Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to ease their options in goal according to the Daily Express, with Arsene Wenger keen to get some proven competition for Wojciech Szczesny ahead of next season.
Former reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has joined Swansea City on a free transfer after he opted against renewing his contract with the Gunners, having been unable to dislodge Szczesny from the number one slot this season, while the end of Emiliano Viviano’s loan spell leaves a dearth of options between the sticks for Arsenal.
Wenger is keen not to just provide back-up, but to have genuine competition for places at the Emirates and is believed to be a fan of Pantilimon – alongside Norwich’s John Ruddy – who has also decided to leave City due to a lack of first team football, with Joe Hart being the undisputed number one at the Etihad.
The giant six foot eight stopper is believed to be keen on remaining in the Premier League despite having been in contact with a number of clubs on the continent and Szczesny yet to truly show he belongs as the number one for a side with Arsenal’s ambitions.
With Fabianski having left on a free transfer and Wenger wanting to reserve his transfer funds for attacking reinforcements, Pantilimon’s contractual status is appealing to Wenger as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of an improved title challenge next season.
