Wojciech Szczesny will return to Arsenal this summer and wants to stay in the Premier League

The Polish keeper still believes he can fight for the number 1 jersey at the Emirates

Monday 08 May 2017 11:14 BST

Wojciech Szczesny has been on loan in Rome all season (Getty)

Wojciech Szczesny expects to return to Arsenal this summer and wants to remain in the Premier League come what may.

The Polish international is disappointed that current club Roma have not yet moved to make his loan deal into a permanent transfer and it is understood that the club's new sporting director, Monchi, is already looking at alternative goalkeepers for next season.

This means a London return for Szczesny, who still believes he can fight Petr Cech for the number 1 jersey at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Show all 6

1/6Arsenal summer transfer targets

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Thomas Lemar (Monaco)

Age: 21
Position: Left-wing
Likelihood: 5/10

After their eye-catching run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Monaco are being gutted by European football’s elite. One of their many bright young things is Lemar, who would slot right into Alexis Sanchez’s left-sided role at Arsenal should the Chilean leave the Emirates this summer. The problem? Monaco are not selling, or at least not for Arsenal’s reported initial offer of £30.75m.

Getty

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Kylian Mbappé (Monaco)

Age: 18
Position: Left/right-wing
Likelihood: 3/10

Another Monaco player, Mbappé is one of the hottest properties in Europe and is perhaps a surprise inclusion on the list, with many expecting the teenager to move to Real Madrid, if anywhere, this summer. Arsène Wenger is said to have struck up something of an accord with the lightning quick winger’s family and harbours hopes of convincing Thierry Henry’s rightful heir that north London is the best place for his development.

Getty

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Age: 26
Position: Right-wing
Likelihood: 4/10

It is no secret that Wenger is a long-time admirer of Mahrez, whose stock has fallen somewhat following that remarkable title-winning campaign with Leicester City in 2015/16. While some of Europe’s top clubs were hovering around the Algerian this time last year, the coast is now relatively clear. The only worry is whether Mahrez can recreate the scintillating form he began to show two years ago.

Getty

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Jean Michaël Seri (Nice)

Age: 25
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 5/10

Seri was one of Nice’s stand-out players during their surprise challenge for the Ligue 1 title last term. If Santi Cazorla’s injury woes continue into the new season, the Cote d’Ivoire international could prove to be an ideal replacement, but his performances in the south of France have not gone unnoticed. Roma, Southampton, Tottenham and Leicester have all been keeping tabs on the midfielder.

Getty

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Mario Lemina (Juventus)

Age: 23
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 3/10

Gabon international Lemina is in search of regular playing time away from Turin, where he has struggled to establish himself in Max Allegri’s first-choice XI. “I want to play more,” he said in June. “I think it's right for me to play more, find a club capable of giving me more space. At 23 I want to show what I can do.” Could he find the minutes he needs in north London? At the moment, there seems to be little concrete about Arsenal’s reported ‘interest’.

Getty

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow)

Age: 21
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 2/10

Another midfielder whose name has been bandied around in the gossip columns this summer, but with few solid leads for transfer-hungry supporters to pursue. Any deal for the talented CSKA Moscow academy graduate would likely involve him being loaned back to his current club, if indeed any such deal is likely at all.

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Whether Arsene Wenger wants to keep the 27-year-old shotstopper is another matter entirely, and while Arsenal sources insist no decision has been made on Szczesny's future it looks increasingly likely as if he will be sold - even if the club also cashes in on David Ospina.

From the player's point of view, things are clear. Szczesny's desire is to remain in the Premier League and there has been informal contact from a couple of English clubs already.

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Wojciech Szczesny will return to Arsenal this summer and wants to stay in the Premier League

The Polish keeper still believes he can fight for the number 1 jersey at the Emirates

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Thomas Lemar (Monaco)

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Kylian Mbappé (Monaco)

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Jean Michaël Seri (Nice)

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Mario Lemina (Juventus)

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow)

Join our commenting forum