Wenger’s got his eye on Schmei
ARSENE WENGER is targeting a move for Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel in a clear sign that he is planning to stay at Arsenal.
The Gunners chief has been tightlipped on his future at the Emirates with some supporters calling for him to go as Arsenal have again fallen short in the hunt for the big trophies.
The Frenchman will meet backroom staff tomorrow who are as anxious as the supporters to know of his plans.
But it appears Wenger is already preparing transfer options – with Foxes ace Schmeichel being lined up to rival Petr Cech as the Gunners No.1.
The Arsenal coaching staff have been in the dark about what Wenger will do.
Like the manager, the contracts of Steve Bould, Neil Banfield and goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton all expire at the end of the season. And they feel they have the right to know if they will be at the club for the next campaign.
The indications are that Wenger will stay and sign a one or two-year deal – and is already plotting transfer moves.
It was said last month that the job of Dick Law – who handles the club’s transfer negotiations – was in jeopardy should Wenger refuse a new contract.
But he was at the London Colney training base last week talking to several leading agents.
That suggests he is looking to bring in new players to bolster the squad and he would have had Wenger’s blessing to hold such talks.
Schmeichel – the son of Manchester United legend Peter – has been in tremendous form this season and has played a major part in taking Leicester into the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they play Atletico Madrid next month, while also helping the club climb the Premier League table and out of the relegation zone.
At 30, he is at his peak and would compete with Cech for the No.1 spot with David Ospina expected to leave at the end of the season.