Besiktas have confirmed their interest in Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, but admit there’s a lot to sort out if any deal is to go through.
The Turkish club were pursuing the Colombian international during the summer after it became clear Petr Cech was bought to become Arsenal’s number 1, but no agreement could be found at that time.
They’ve kept their eye on him though, and vice-president of the club Ahmet Nur Cebi, said, “We are interested in Ospina.
“Him and goalkeepers of his calibre, but just because we want him does not mean he will come. We have to agree with his club and take his contract into consideration.”
It would be a surprise if Arsenal were to sanction any mid-season deal, especially with two other senior stoppers, Wojciech Szczesny and Emi Martinez, out on loan at Roma and Wolves respectively.
Ospina is unlikely to be overly enthused with his current predicament, having been first choice at Nice and number 1 for his country, so a move at some point seems likely, but probably not in January.
Cech that out…
I would not mind if he went and we brought Szcz back. Ospina is good back up but I think Szczseny has the greater potential. He is still a bit immature but working with Cech may help him on and off the field as he would be shadowing a consummate professional. Time will tell but whatever happens let’s just sit back and enjoy the fact that we have the best keeper in the league and we stole him from those plastic fuckwits at the bridge. Delightful stuff.
Yep, but the other side is that Cech has at least 3 years ahead of him. If Wojtek would return, and then he will sit on the bench for three years, I don’t see any good in this.
Wojtek has to play, like Courtois, and strong Italian side which play in CL is the best place for him. He should stay there, and don’t do any shenanigans (but as he is loco, he will probably do something stupid).
This seems like a pointless rumour – we’re just going to tell them to come back in the summer.
I’m curious to see who our number two will be next year though. I’d be fairly surprised if Ospina sticks around, as I cannot really see him wanting to wait for Cech to retire at his age, but I’m also not sure that Szczesny will be happy to become the clear number 2. Martinez isn’t half bad either though, so even if we don’t buy anyone I’m not worried either way.
I think Szcz might be interested in coming back at the end of the season. But can’t see us releasing Ospina until then.
Looking forward to return of poo-meter as January comes closer
Wenger’s decision to not start Macey or other young keepers against Sheffield Wednesday shows there is no chance Ospina is leaving in January.
Ospina’s stuck until the end of the year unless something bizarre happens like we sign a youngish GK prospect who we feel comfortable as backup for Cech.
Which we won’t do just to move Ospina out. It’ll only happen if it happens anyway.
So I’d say 5% chance or less.
He’s going no where!
Wonder if his Oooooospinaaaa will be adopted by fans from another club
What a photo.
In the long-term, I feel we should let Cech stay as first choice with Martinez as back-up, while we sell Ospina and keep Szczesny out on a long loan, à la Jenkinson.
I rate Szczesny, I really do, and he also appears to have something for this club as well, but I don’t see him being happy as back-up to Cech. Cech for league and CL, and Martinez for domestic cups is good enough. It makes more sense for Szczesny to spend seasons on loan at other decently big clubs like Roma, with no option to purchase after the loan!!!
Cech is out keeper for the next five seasons, unless there is a change in him physically. He trains and prepares like a professional, and Buffon is the template if we are looking at the level and quality and longevity at which he performs. Szczesny I don’t know about anymore. Ospina should be back up, or we need someone else. But goalkeeper rotation is total bollocks. You have a number 1, and he plays barring injury. None of this PL, CL, cup keeper stuff makes sense. Every defense should have that number 1 to stabilize and organize it, and Cech… Read more »