Long-time Arsenal target Hugo Lloris has been told that he can leave Lyon for the right price.
Arsene Wenger has been an admirer of the French number one for a considerable amount of time now and could be tempted to delve into his transfer funds with Lyon now willing to sell the player.
The Gunners had previously been priced out of a move for the 25-year-old when the club were looking to solve their long-standing goalkeeper issues.
However Lloris could now be prized away from the Stafe de Gerland for a reasonable fee of £12m, after Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas admitted that he would be willing to cash in on the goalkeeper if the money was right.
“Lloris can go, but only for a decent price in relation to the market,” Aulas told French television channel TF1.
French newspaper L’Equipe has reported that Arsenal are ready to stump up the £12m needed to acquire the services of Lloris.
Personally, I can’t see Lloris coming to the Emirates Stadium anytime soon.
It’s true that the Gunners have been after the goalkeeper for a while now, although this was a time when Wenger had lost faith in the likes of Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.
Now it would appear that times have changed, as Wojciech Szczesny appears to have established himself as the Arsenal number one for the long-term.
The Pole oozes the confidence, passion and talent all in one neat little package that Wenger has been in search of for some time.
And while Almunia may have been released as well as Fabianski and Vito Mannone having far from certain futures at the club, Lloris wouldn’t be willing to move to North London to play second fiddle to Szczesny.
There is no doubt that it would be a massive coup for the Gunners if Lloris opted to make the move to N5, and it would lead to an exciting tussle between him and Szczesny for the number one jersey.
However, it would appear that Wenger has faith in his current stopper and it would be very unlike him to splash out such a large fee on a back up keeper.
You never know for sure in football, but this rumour looks as if it will just remain as that.
Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton
Are u saying bcos Szczesny has established himself as our number one we should not go 4 this French man? Lack of foresight. Do u know Szczesny had 2 play through pains in our last 3 matches; all bcos there was no reliable goalkeeper left. Don't 4get we need an all round team 2 challenge 4 honours and can't depend on Fabianski or Vito. By the way check the number of goals conceded last season n tell me whether we Lloris to challenge Szczesny or not.