Arsenal target not for sale, says Espanyol boss.
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Espanyol manager Javier Aguirre has ruled out the possibility of goalkeeper Kiko Casilla joining Arsenal this summer, according to Marca.
The 26-year-old is one of many shot-stoppers being linked with the Gunners at the moment, as Arsene Wenger remains unconvinced by Wojciech Szczesny as his number one.
Lukasz Fabianski filled in for Szczesny for a short but successful spell towards the end of last season, though continued injury problems have meant he has not been able to establish himself as first choice at the Emirates Stadium.
Casilla, who started his career as a youth player at Real Madrid, has been at Espanyol since 2008 and is very much first choice for the club, though they may be forced to sell if Arsenal are willing to meet his buyout clause of around £17million.
Scouts are supposedly set to watch him play on Saturday, and though Casilla clearly seems high on Arsenal’s list of priorities, Aguirre believes he will not be leaving.
“Casilla cannot go, not that one,” he said.
“I see him very much involved and believe he will not go although it is very appealing.”
The Gunners are also being linked with two other La Liga ‘keepers: Valencia’s Vicente Guaita, and, somewhat surprisingly, Real Madrid stalwart Iker Casillas.