Former Arsenal star lined up for SHOCK return

Suraj Radia

• 9 May 2024 12:00 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal could make a shock move to bring Wojciech Szczesny back to the club as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who is likely to leave the Emirates this summer.

Szczesny came through Arsenal’s academy and made 181 appearances for the club before leaving for Juventus in 2017 after two seasons on loan at Roma.

The 34-year-old was often criticised for his inconsistency with the Gunners but has since rebuilt his reputation as a top level goalkeeper during his time in Italy.

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The Standard claim that Arsenal are looking to bring in a homegrown goalkeeper to help comply with Premier League and European squad registration rules amid uncertainty over the futures of several of their current homegrown stars.

Academy graduates Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson all count as club grown players but all three could be sold this summer for the right prices.

Szczesny could be available for transfer this summer with Juventus looking to sign Monza’s Michele Di Gregorio as a replacement, although the Polish international’s wages of more than €100,000 could make a deal difficult.

Arsenal to target home grown keeper as part of summer plans

Ramsdale is expected to leave Arsenal this summer after losing his spot as Mikel Arteta’s number one goalkeeper to David Raya, with Newcastle said to be frontrunners to sign the 25-year-old.

Szczesny’s status as a club grown player makes him a top target for Arsenal but Brighton’s Jason Steele is homegrown in nation and could also be a target.

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European options are still being explored, such as Ajax’s Diant Ramaj, which FootballTransfers exclusively reported earlier this year, although the 22-year-old is reluctant to move to give up being a guaranteed starter at this stage in his career.

Along with a backup goalkeeper, Arsenal are looking to sign a left-sided defender such as Jorrel Hato of Ajax, while a striker and wide player to back up Bukayo Saka is also on Arteta’s list.