http://football-talk.co.uk/92197/arsenal-ready-to-beat-tottenham-to-15m-rated-stopper/ Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of £15m-rated Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall as he looks to find a replacement for Swansea-bound Lukasz Fabianski, according to reports today. Despite starting in last weekends FA Cup final victory over Hull City, Fabianski is set to leave the Emirates after rejecting Arsenalâs offer of a new contract and heâs reportedly on the verge of sealing a free transfer move to Swansea City. The Polish internationalâs exit, combined with Emiliano Viviano returning to Italy following the completion of his year-long loan, means Wenger needs to bring in at least one experienced stopper to offer competition to Wojciech Szczesny and it appears Marshall has emerged as his number one target. The Telegraph claim that the Gunners are set to firm-up their interest in the 29-year-old and are keen to beat Spurs to the Scottish internationalâs signature this summer. Tottenham are also understood to be have identified Marshall as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris should the Frenchman leave White Hart Lane, but Spurs wonât make any move until Llorisâs future is resolved which leaves the door wide open for Arsenal to complete a deal. The newspaper suggests that although Wenger hasnât been put off by Cardiffâs £15m valuation of Marshall, the Gunners boss is keen to try and drive the price down, but it remains to be seen whether the Welsh club will be willing to compromise. Marshall was Cityâs stand-out performer last season and was rightfully named as their player of the year, but despite their relegation to the Championship, Cardiff are under no pressure to sell on the cheap as he only signed a new contract in February. No doubt Marshall put in some eye-catching displays last year and he was some pundits vote to be named in the PFA Team of the Season. However, £15m seems like an unrealistic valuation for a player whoâs only had one good season at the top level and is now set to play in the Championship.
good call musty, but he'd have to take a wage cut, he's probably happy to sit on his wages living in london i reckon…..
They are trying to cut the wage bill not increase it musty....It's all very well these out of contract players or players not wanted by the big clubs that fans think are free, they are not free at all if their wages will be into the millions every season....
£15 mill would be an outstanding price, i thought he would cost in the region of £5m for any club. Is this paper talk in the silly season.
I think he is worth a bit more than that myself ronny but if two teams want him then who knows what they will bid up to...
What has that to do with what clubs will pay for him. I dont think he has been the best this season but he certainly had the most work to do that's for sure and that's why he has been the stand out keeper. that don't make him the best...I would not have him at Swansea as he is not good enough.
Marshall is as good a shot stopper around but his inability to control the box is still a concern; look at some of the goals conceded from corners last season - where was he then? He will go, there is NDAT so the important question for City is not how much for and whether he will be an expensive bench warmer for a top Pl outfit, but as they will defo need a replacement, who could that be? OGS was linked with a Norwegian keeper last Jan window wasn't he? Lewis is an unknown quantity plus has only played about 5-6 games in 2 years.
If he goes, we should be looking at proven keepers. I wont be happy if Lewis is between the sticks come August! Just hope they dont leave it too late to sign a decent keeper.
Lewis hasnt had a chance, to say he is not good enough isnt all that fair, the games he has played in, he played well. I think he will be a good replacement for Marshall should he leave.
Fair point - he did ok at Hull in his one game but City will need an experienced keeper to compete with Lewis if he stays but I reckon he'll be shipped out and OGS will bring in tis Norwegian keeper and an experienced one from the PL. But we need to also get a replacement CB for Caulker. Hudson has been out the game for a while, and Cala is defensively suspect.
nin, it looks like OGS is going for 10 strikers and a goalie at the moment, however i am sure he has a few defenders in mind, i think things will become clearer throughout the summer, it is good that he seems to be getting the players he wants early.
Put this on the wrong thread earlier. This getting old lark isn't much fun. When we signed Simon Moore it was with a view to him being Marshall's understudy and eventual replacement. I would have seen him stepping over Lewis next season so probably a season too early if Marshie goes now.
Really good call made earlier. I am still not convinced Marshall will go. We do not need to sell him unless somebody is willing to pay a lot. Let's see how much they will pay. He won't be going for less than 15 mil I reckon. But if he did go, Schwarzer would be a brilliant signing for a season or even two,
