Arsenal are looking to Stephane Ruffier as a direct replacement for Lukasz Fabianski according to The Guardian. The club apparently view him as ideal backup who could provide genuine competition to their current number one.
Ruffier joined Saint-Etienne from Monaco, where he played 113 league games, in 2011. He has since gone on to make over 100 league appearances for the French outfit and has gained two caps for France national team.
Meanwhile The Mirror is also reporting that Arsenal will be monitoring Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina. The player, who is at this year’s World Cup, might be approached if any deal to bring Ruffier to the club fails.
The 25 year old, who joined Nice from Atletico Nacional in 2008, has made 177 league appearances for his club side and has 42 senior caps for Colombia. An impressive World Cup could see his chances of moving to North London increase dramatically.
Following the departure of Fabianski to Swansea City, Arsenal have been left with only Wojciech Szczesny as a senior goalkeeper. This makes the position a priority for Arsene Wenger as backup will obviously be needed for next season in case of injuries or suspension to Szczesny.
Potential moves for any top keepers could be scuppered by the fact that they know they will be coming in as backup to Szczesny who has firmly established himself as The Gunners’ number one.
The North London club are also looking at transfer targets in a number of other key positions, including right back, centre back, defensive midfield, winger and striker, as they look to press on from their FA Cup victory and challenge for major honours next season. They have been linked to several high profile players, including Serge Aurier and Karim Benzema.
