Arsenal are in pole position to sign Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier according to a report from French media outlet BUT. The front cover from their paper today can be seen above.
This story is making headlines in France and Ruffier seems a real option for the Gunners. The 6ft 2 stopper has just one year remaining on his current contract and Saint-Etienne have given him until June 30 to decide whether he wants to sign an extension or leave this summer. The club do not want to lose him for nothing next season. The report also says he is attracting a lot of interest from Serie A.
Ruffier, 27, is a talented goalkeeper who has made over 100 appearances for Saint-Étienne since his arrival from Monaco in 2011.
Arsenal are in the market for a new goalkeeper following the departure of Lukas Fabianski who joined Swansea on a free transfer last month. Ruffier is perhaps too talented to play as a number two goalkeeper, but he is French and so this rumour immediately could have some truth to it. It would surely be hard for the keeper to turn down Arsenal, even if first team football is not guaranteed.
Arsenal have also opened talks with Stoke City for the £8million signing of Asmir Begovic according to the Metro. (Huge pinch of salt)
Stoke have a long-term replacement already at the club in Jack Butland, which makes this deal realistic and the price is unlikely to be too high. Whilst Szczesny has been impressive, Arsenal seem keen to add a quality second choice keeper after chasing one last summer. The Metro say in their report that Arsenal will talk to Stoke over the coming days with the hope of securing an £8million deal for the Bosnian keeper.
Would you like to see Ruffier at Arsenal next season? Let us know by commenting below.