Iker Casillas to Arsenal: Spain goalkeeper 'asks' for Real Madrid exit because he wants to join Arsenal - reports

The Gunners were thought to be close to signing Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina but reports in Spain claim Casillas is looking for a way out

Under-fire goalkeeper Iker Casillas wants to leave Real Madrid and join Arsenal even though he is contracted to the club, according to reports in Spain.

The Real legend has fallen behind Diego Lopez at the Santiago Bernebeu over the past two seasons, with the 33-year-old being afford cup and Champions League starts only. His case to return as the Number One under manager Carlo Ancelotti was not helped by his dismal showing in Spain’s humiliating 5-1 defeat at the World Cup to the Netherlands, and he was far from his best throughout the tournament.

With the Gunners looking for a new goalkeeper after letting Lukasz Fabianski leave when his contract expired at the end of the season, Casillas could fit the bill to provide competition for the current first choice Wojciech Szczesny.

Spanish newspaper EL Confidencial are reporting that following Real’s capture of Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navasthis week, Casillas will seek a new challenge and ask for the Champions League holders to allow him to leave.

Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer of Casillas, having been linked with the World Cup winner over the past year, although Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina was thought to be close to a £3.2m move from Nice.

Arsenal have already signed Chile international Alexiz Sanchez from Barcelona for £35m, while they remain in the hunt for Real’s Sami Khedira although any move for the German is far from complete.

Should the Gunners land Casillas, it will be the second time that they have carried out transfer business with the Madrid club, having acquired the club record signing of Mesut Özil from Real last summer for £42.5m.