Arsenal move for Carson
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 11:28pm GMT 12/02/2007
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Arsenal are preparing a £5 million summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson due to the growing question marks over the future of the club's present No 1, Jens Lehmann.
Carson, on a season-long loan at Charlton, faces an uncertain future at Anfield with manager Rafael Benitez unwilling to place the 21-year-old ahead of Jose Reina in the pecking order.
Arsenal are ready to test Liverpool's resolve to hold on to the England squad member, with Lehmann still holding out for a two-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The Germany goalkeeper has been offered a 12-month extension to his present contract, which expires at the end of the season, but the 37-year-old has so far refused to accept the proposed deal.
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The former AC Milan goalkeeper has made more than 170 first-team appearances for Arsenal since being signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2003 as the successor to David Seaman, and he played a key role in the club's run to the Champions League final last season, most notably making a late penalty save from Villarreal's Juan-Roman Riquelme to secure a decisive draw in the semi-final second-leg in Spain.
Arsenal's reluctance to meet Lehmann's demands for a two-year contract, and manager Arsene Wenger's determination to secure the services of a top-class goalkeeper, have led to Carson being installed at the top of their hitlist.
Carson has impressed at Charlton, but he is understood to be reluctant to return to reserve-team football at Liverpool next season having emerged as arguably the south London club's most impressive performer in their battle against relegation during this campaign.
Benitez's unswerving backing for Reina, plus the January loan signing of young Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Sampdoria - a move which is expected to be made permanent in the summer - has left Carson facing a difficult route into the first team at Anfield, and he is likely to be interested by the prospect of a move to Arsenal in the hope that it might enhance his chances of claiming the England No 1 spot before Euro 2008.
The former Leeds United keeper rejected a move to Chelsea to seal a £750,000 switch to Anfield from Elland Road two years ago, but with Reina, Padelli and Jerzy Dudek already on the books, Liverpool could be tempted to make a huge profit by allowing him to move to the Emirates.
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 11:28pm GMT 12/02/2007
In pics: Premiership action
Your View: Football fans' forum
Arsenal are preparing a £5 million summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson due to the growing question marks over the future of the club's present No 1, Jens Lehmann.
Carson, on a season-long loan at Charlton, faces an uncertain future at Anfield with manager Rafael Benitez unwilling to place the 21-year-old ahead of Jose Reina in the pecking order.
Arsenal are ready to test Liverpool's resolve to hold on to the England squad member, with Lehmann still holding out for a two-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The Germany goalkeeper has been offered a 12-month extension to his present contract, which expires at the end of the season, but the 37-year-old has so far refused to accept the proposed deal.
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The former AC Milan goalkeeper has made more than 170 first-team appearances for Arsenal since being signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2003 as the successor to David Seaman, and he played a key role in the club's run to the Champions League final last season, most notably making a late penalty save from Villarreal's Juan-Roman Riquelme to secure a decisive draw in the semi-final second-leg in Spain.
Arsenal's reluctance to meet Lehmann's demands for a two-year contract, and manager Arsene Wenger's determination to secure the services of a top-class goalkeeper, have led to Carson being installed at the top of their hitlist.
Carson has impressed at Charlton, but he is understood to be reluctant to return to reserve-team football at Liverpool next season having emerged as arguably the south London club's most impressive performer in their battle against relegation during this campaign.
Benitez's unswerving backing for Reina, plus the January loan signing of young Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Sampdoria - a move which is expected to be made permanent in the summer - has left Carson facing a difficult route into the first team at Anfield, and he is likely to be interested by the prospect of a move to Arsenal in the hope that it might enhance his chances of claiming the England No 1 spot before Euro 2008.
The former Leeds United keeper rejected a move to Chelsea to seal a £750,000 switch to Anfield from Elland Road two years ago, but with Reina, Padelli and Jerzy Dudek already on the books, Liverpool could be tempted to make a huge profit by allowing him to move to the Emirates.
have to give it to ya, you have been trying hard lately
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