By Jonny Payne
Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey has hinted he may be set to leave Florence this summer meaning the door could open for a move to Arsenal. The French goalkeeper has been one of the Florence-based clubs better performers in recent years, helping them to a fourth-placed finish last season and to the knockout stages of the Champions League this time around with the highlight knocking Liverpool out of the group stages.
La Viola’s domestic form has been poor, however, and a eleventh-placed finish means that Frey and his colleagues will not be playing European football next season, which could mean he moves on after five years at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The 30 year-old told Italian sports daily newspaper, Gazetta dello Sport:
“I have a contract until 2013 but sometimes in life, new motivations are necessary. Perhaps finding new challenges doesn’t necessarily mean leaving, it could also mean that I could stay provided the team is reinforced. Next season we will not play in Europe and that is why we need a strong team to be at the highest level in Serie A.”
The newspaper questioned whether Frey would be open to a move to archrivals Juventus, which if true, could ironically mean that Arsenal may be successful in a bid for Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Frey said: “I can’t say whether I will go or I will remain here, but I am thinking very much. Me at Juventus? Let’s speak about other things.”
Frey would be a welcome addition to Arsenal’s goalkeeping department, a problem area for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this season, with first choice Manuel Almunia and deputy Lukasz Fabianski not looking convincing between the posts.
What would you think of Sebastien Frey becoming Arsenal’s new number one? Have your say below:
