Summer Transfer Market: Goalkeeper Carousel

Forget the managerial merry-go-round; as the summer transfer window approaches, there are many football clubs in the market for a reliable man between the posts. Rebecca looks at why this could be the biggest keeper carousel yet, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham being among the clubs on the hunt.

–Embed from Getty ImagesDavid de Gea – Manchester United

The 24-year-old is reportedly wanted by Real Madrid, but has also been offered a new contract at Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal tries to keep the young shot-stopper. According to rumours, Real Madrid are said to be offering either Keylor Navas or Gareth Bale in part exchange to land the in-demand keeper. De Gea, who has yet to make up his mind, has kept United in safe hands all season, and he is without a doubt the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Wojciech Szczęsny – Arsenal

He became Arsenal’s first choice keeper at the age of 20, but five years on, it seems that Szczesny’s attitude has become a problem, and could see him leave the Emirates this season. He was said to be under a lot of pressure from competing with David Ospina, who was purchased last summer, but it was Szczęsny’s actions off the pitch that saw him dropped by Arsene Wenger; he was caught lighting a cigarette following a nightmare performance in the 2-0 defeat against Southampton on New Year’s Day. Yet despite his supposed attitude problems, he has been heavily linked with Southampton, due to Fraser Forster’s long-term injury.

Petr Cech – Chelsea

You don’t have to be a Chelsea fan to sympathise with Petr Cech this season, going from winning the Golden Glove last season to dusting it off on the bench. Cech was unfairly demoted very quickly at the start of the season when Jose Mourinho made the cut-throat decision to put 23-year-old Thibaut Courtois in goal. Despite Mourinho’s claims that they were both No.1 keepers, Cech has remained largely on the sidelines, only playing 21 games this season, in which he has been at his best every time. This hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he is currently linked with Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal, with his agent suggesting he will be looking for a club where he won’t have to play second fiddle.

Hugo Lloris – Tottenham

Lloris is without a doubt the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League. Spurs are set to put up a fight for the 28-year-old Frenchman, who has kept them in the top half of the table this season; Manchester United are set to lose David de Gea and are rumoured to have their eyes set on £35m-rated Lloris. He has been on fire this season and has arguably been Spurs’ best goalkeeper since Pat Jennings. With Lloris potentially looking for a move, Tottenham are set to join the queue for Petr Cech.

Asmir Begovic – Stoke City

Mark Hughes’ recent decision to drop Begovic in favour of Jack Butland and Thomas Sorensen could well be the exit the Bosnian needs to make as he hits his prime years. Begovic’s form has been consistent this season, so his exclusion came as a bit of a shock. Luckily, he is not short of admirers; Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Roma have been reportedly tracking the 27-year-old. It could work out well for Jack Butland if Begovic was to leave this summer.

It seems the goalkeepers of the Premier League are set for big changes ahead of this summer. Will Petr Cech move to another Premier League club? Is David de Gea about to ditch his United contract for Real Madrid? Will Wojciech Szczęsny find another club after his antics this season?

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