LONDON //Arsenal are preparing to make a new bid for Mark Schwarzer in the January transfer window after the Fulham goalkeeper signalled his intention to force a move to the Gunners.
Although Arsene Wenger continues to defend Manuel Almunia, his No 1, and Lukasz Fabianksi, the Spaniard's back-up, it has now dawned on the Arsenal manger he must sign a top-class keeper if his side are to challenge for the Premier League title and Champions League.
Almunia has missed Arsenal's last two games after another error-ridden display in the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion. The official reason given was because an injured elbow. But it is widely believed it is the sort of injury he could have carried on playing with - and that Wenger deemed it a good chance to take him out of the firing line. Almunia has suffered a crisis of confidence this campaign after it became widely known that Wenger had sought to replace him during the summer with Schwarzer.
But Arsenal's lack of urgency and Fulham's inability to find the right replacement saw the deal for the keeper, 37, break down. The Australian, who has toed the line with Fulham since, spoke out this week, claiming he will try to get his "dream" move in January. Speaking on international duty with Austalia on Monday, Schwarzer said: "I don't have time on my side and want to fulfil a dream. This is the only time I have tried to force the issue."
And that will invite Arsenal to seal the deal. If Arsenal finally get their man, Wenger will try and convince 20-year-old Wojiech Szczesny to bide his time and emerge as Schwarzer's understudy. But highly rated Polish keeper has become disillusioned at the club and may well seek a move in January. Fulham could well be persuaded to allow Schwarzer to move because they feel they can get Shay Given on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season.
Roberto Mancini, the City manager, has told Given that he can leave the club in January after Joe Hart emerged as the No 1 keeper.
Meanwhile, Diego Forlan has put Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on alert by saying he is ready to leave Atletico Madrid. The striker won the Europa League with Atletico last season and stayed with the Spanish club despite attracting admirers with five goals in Uruguay's surprise run to the World Cup semi-finals.
Forlan, 31, who was voted Player of the World Cup, is contracted to Atletico for another three years but said he would be willing to move on if the right offer comes along. He has been linked to both United and Spurs in the British press. "If I have the chance to go, I will go," Forlan said in an interview with Sky Sports News. Forlan says he would be prepared to return to the Premier League, where he spent almost three years with United.
Forlan struggled to adapt to the English game after United signed him from Argentina's Independiente in 2002. He failed to score in his first 27 and managed only 10 Premier League goals before switching to Spain's Villarreal. He has since twice won the Golden Boot award as Europe's leading scorer. "Everybody says things, that maybe you don't want to go back," Forlan said. "The time I had in England was great and I enjoyed it and if I had the chance to go back I would be really happy."
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