support

Sun 2 July 2017 19:36, UK

By Matt Farr

Leeds United goalkeeper Robert Green could be handed a return to the Premier League this summer, according to a reliable journalist.

The Sun reporter Alan Nixon claimed on his personal Twitter account on Sunday morning that the 37-year-old had emerged as a shock candidate to bolster the goalkeeping ranks at top-flight giants, Arsenal.

The reported interest Arsenal, however, is far from concrete at this stage, with Nixon claiming that he had been a name “discussed” by the club as they seek to press ahead with their summer transfer plans.

Such a move would certainly raise eyebrows, considering Green is at the latter end of his career, but he would no doubt represent a low-cost, yet experienced option for the club.

Green faces an uncertain future at Elland Road this summer after newly-appointed Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen moved to add another goalkeeper earlier this month in Felix Wiedwald.

The German was the first-choice stopper at Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen during he 2016-17 season, and is likely to rival Green for a starting spot in the Championship next term.

Leeds would have owed a massive debt to Green had their promotion bid proved successful last term, with the experienced star pulling off a number of stunning saves and keeping 15 clean sheets from 46 league appearances.

But he could be in line to make a summer switch, with Arsenal said to be considering bringing the former England international to the Emirates as a backup option to current No.1 Petr Cech.

The performances of the Czech Republic international came under scrutiny last season, but Arsene Wenger is likely to stick by his under-fire goalkeeper in 2017-18; although a new addition as deputy is also likely.

David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny both face uncertain futures at Arsenal this summer, and if both were to depart, Wenger would be left with just Emiliano Martinez as suitable backup to Cech.

Football Insider verdict

It’s certainly one of those more left-field rumours, at least certainly from Arsenal’s perspective. If Arsenal were to acquire backup to Cech, they’d likely find someone with the age and potential to become a future successor, and Green is in fact older than the current Gunners’ No.1. Meanwhile, Green would not likely be willing to trade a potential first-team role at Leeds for a backup role at Arsenal, even despite the recent addition of Wiedwald. The German may have been brought in to be first-choice, but Green still has plenty to offer, and he has more than enough quality to see-off his new rival for a starting role next term. There are much better deals for Arsenal to pursue, and much more vulnerable players for Leeds to offload.

In other Leeds transfer news, the club are poised to complete a deal for this attacker on Monday.

We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Leeds breaking news.