Arsene Wenger has identified Mark Schearzer as the man to solve his goalkeeping crisis, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Arsenal boss had the Australian international scouted during Fulham’s last two home league fixtures and is ready to table an offer for the veteran having balked at the prices he would need to pay to sign other targets.
Schwarzer, 37, starred in Fulham’s improbable run to the Europa League final this year and Wenger believes that the Australian’s age and the fact that he has just a year to run on his current Craven Cottage deal means that the former Middlesbrough goalkeeper could prove a cheaper option than AZ Alkmaar’s Sergio Romero and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Andriy Pyatov. The Gunners manager also sees Schwarzer as a short-term signing who would unduly hinder the progression of promising youngster Wojciech Szczesny into the first-team set up.
Fulham are thought to consider Schwarzer integral to their plans for the forthcoming season and are willing to enter into talks with the experienced custodian about increasing his wages in order to ward off Arsenal’s interest.
