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Arsenal open talks to sign 22-year-old in surprise January swoop

By on December 23, 2016

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal have made contact with Sunderland to discuss a deal to sign goalkeeper Jordan Pickford next month.

The newspaper says that doubts are growing over Petr Cech’s ability to remain Arsenal’s No.1 after the Czech star made it 8 league without a clean sheet following last weeks 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

That’s the longest Cech has ever gone in his career without keeping a clean sheet and he came under fresh criticism after being beaten at his near post by Raheem Sterling for City’s winner – and it’s not the first time he’s let in a soft goal at his near post.

At 34, it looks as though Cech’s best days are certainly behind him and it appears Arsenal are on the hunt for a potential replacement with the Evening Standard claiming that we’ve now opened talks with Sunderland over Pickford.

The paper states that we’re willing to buy the 22-year-old in January and loan him back to the Black Cats for the rest of the season – which could be tempting for them as David Moyes has been told he has no money to spend next month so this deal would provide him with funds while also keeping hold of his No.1 until the summer.

Pickford has impressed since forcing his way in to the Sunderland first team and the senior England squad this season and he recently signed a new contract until 2020 so any deal is unlikely to come cheap – especially with the likes of Tottenham and Man City also linked.

The goalkeeping situation at Arsenal is certainly intriguing and it looks like this summer is going to be crucial in determining the future’s of many of our current keepers.

Wojceich Szczesny is expected to secure a permanent move away from the club having spent the last two seasons on loan while David Ospina will also consider his future after only featuring in the Champions League group stages so far this campaign.

Emiliano Martinez signed a new long-term deal last month so it looks like he’ll be staying at the Emirates while any move to bring in a new keeper such as Pickford would surely cast doubt over the future of Cech.

petr cech arsenal

I’ve personally been a little underwhelmed by Cech’s performances since he arrived from Chelsea so I would support bringing in a new No.1 at the end of the season, but it would be a big risk going for Pickford as he has so little experience at the highest level.

The plan might be for Ospina to leave, Cech to be given another year as No.1 with Pickford replacing Ospina as his No.2. That would probably make a lot more sense as it would give Pickford some time to learn from Cech before taking over for the 2018/19 campaign.