Agent Claims Arsenal Want €20m-Rated Italian International Stopper

Despite the transfer window now being closed there will still be plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal are linked with Mattia Perin.

The agent of Mattia Perin claims Arsenal are among a list of top European sides that are interested in signing the Genoa goalkeeper, according to Sky Sports News.

The 20-year-old joined Genoa as a youth player in 2008 but has spent the last two seasons out on loan and has impressed with Pescara this campaign after they were promoted to Serie A last term.

It seems his performances haven’t gone unnoticed throughout Europe with the players agent, Matteo Roggi, claiming that Arsenal have been joined by the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus in tracking the highly-rated stopper.

However, the Gunners and the rest of the European heavyweights are set to be left disappointed with Roggi also confirming that his client is ‘99%’ sure to be returning to Genoa to complete at least one season with his parent club.

The agent also claims Perin signed a new deal that runs until 2017 just last month and is now valued at around €20m (£17.4m). Roggi is quoted as saying by Sky Sports:

“There are many clubs interested in him [Perin]: Arsenal, Barcelona, AC Milan. It has also been said about Juventus, Napoli and Roma.

“Currently, however, there is only one certainty about Mattia’s future: he will return to Genoa at the end of his loan and there is a mutual intention for him to spend at least one season in a Genoa shirt.

“Just a month ago we extended his contract until 2017 and Mattia’s cost is at least €20 million.

“I am 99 per cent sure he will be Genoa’s goalkeeper next season.”

A goalkeeper needs to be a priority this summer as we are desperately short of competition for Wojciech Szczesny. However, while Perin may be a highly-rated youngster and has represented Italy at every youth level as well as earning a cap for the senior team, I’m not too bothered about missing out on him.

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I feel we need experience, not another relatively unproven youngster. Szczesny is still just 22 and needs someone with experience to learn from and to push him for the first team jersey. Plus, this Perin is apparently valued at €20m, so if the boss is going to spend that kind of money I’d prefer to see him going for some proven talent, preferably a 30 goal a season striker!

Who do you think Wenger should sign this summer? Get involved in the comments section below.