- Arsenal have been linked with shock transfer interest in Marc-Andre ter Stegen
- Reports in Spain say the Gunners are among three clubs to make an offer for the goalkeeper
- Barcelona, however, do not want to sell the German, who has a £158million release clause
- READ MORE: Arsenal the best team in the Premier League in surprise area, stats show
Arsenal have reportedly made a surprise bid to seal the transfer of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as a replacement for the ageing Petr Cech.
The Gunners could do with an upgrade in goal as the former Chelsea shot-stopper looks past his best, with Ter Stegen showing himself to be one of the finest in the world in his position.
According to Don Balon, Arsenal are joined by Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in making an approach for the Germany international, who has a £158million release clause in his Barca contract.
The report also states clearly that the Catalan giants do not want to sell one of their most important players, and it remains to be seen if clubs have come close to meeting his buy-out clause fee.
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That would make Ter Stegen by far the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, and looks a transfer out of character for Arsenal.
The Gunners have rarely spent big on goalkeepers during Arsene Wenger’s reign, and indeed rarely spent big at all even on attacking players.
Still, the market is changing and Wenger will certainly have to think about a long-term replacement for Cech before long, with the 35-year-old undoubtedly one of the finest to play in the Premier League but no longer at the level he was for much of his time at Stamford Bridge.
Ter Stegen could also be a fine candidate to replace the legendary Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus, while PSG notably raided Barcelona for Neymar in the summer and may fancy doing so again.