Transfer news: Arsenal on alert after Iker Casillas reveals he could quit Real Madrid

The Spanish stopper is frustrated at his lack of playing time

Simon Rice
Thursday 17 October 2013 17:30 BST
Comments
Iker Casillas There is a chance that Iker Casillas could be available, however this particular deal will be fraught with ifs and maybes. The World Cup winner has fallen out with Jose Mourinho and there are suggestions he could be lured away from Real Madrid. However, rumours that Mourinho will be leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the season would quash this particular angle. There are also claims that Real are interested in signing De Gea, opening up an possibility of a swap deal for the pair. Casillas is by far and away the outstanding candidate.
Iker Casillas There is a chance that Iker Casillas could be available, however this particular deal will be fraught with ifs and maybes. The World Cup winner has fallen out with Jose Mourinho and there are suggestions he could be lured away from Real Madrid. However, rumours that Mourinho will be leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the season would quash this particular angle. There are also claims that Real are interested in signing De Gea, opening up an possibility of a swap deal for the pair. Casillas is by far and away the outstanding candidate. (GETTY IMAGES)

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Arsenal have been put on alert after goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted for the first time he could leave Real Madrid if he is unable to break into the team.

The Spain captain found himself forced out by Diego Lopez last season under Jose Mourinho, but with the departure of the Special One, it was expected Casillas would again become the regular No 1 in the side.

However, the situation has not significantly changed with the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager, with Casillas being used in the Champions League and Lopez in La Liga.

Casillas, who has been at the Bernabeu his entire career, has now signalled he could leave.

"Players go through moments when if you are not playing a part you think about making some sort of decision," he is reported as saying by local media in Madrid.

Casillas has remained integral to the international set-up with Spain manager Vicente del Bosque continuing to select the 32-year-old, most recently in the victory over Georgia. However, with the World Cup approaching and Barcelona's Victor Valdes breathing down his neck, that could change without regular football.

"Of course I want to stay here, winning more titles with Real Madrid," he added.

"I have been here since I was a small boy but the day will come when maybe a decision will have to be made.

"I have decided I want to be part of this squad for a long time but if the situation doesn't change in three months and you ask me the same question perhaps I will answer that I am planning to leave."

Arsenal have been consistently linked with a move for Casillas with question marks over Wojciech Szczesny.

At today's AGM, despite insisting the club will continue to develop talent, the Gunners confirmed that they are in a position to spend.

"We will also look to buy proven quality," said Arsene Wenger. Casillas would certainly provide quality between the sticks, although Arsenal would likely face competition from Borussia Dortmund, and potentially Monaco and PSG if the Spanish stopper opts to move on.

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