According to The S*n, Arsenal manager Unai Emery wants to agree a deal with Sevilla for goalkeeper Sergio Rico. The 24-year-old would be a long-term replacement for Petr Cech who is in the last year of his deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Rico rose through the youth ranks to the Sevilla first-team in 2014 and has gone on to make 169 appearances in all competitions. The Spanish international racked up 40 appearances last season, keeping 13 clean sheets, and could renew acquaintances with his old Sevilla boss.
Fichajes say Sevilla are already lining up replacements for the 24-year-old stopper, with Alaves’ Fernando Pacheco, Espanyol’s Roberto Jiminex and Girona’s Yassine Bounou on the shortlist. That could be good news for Arsenal’s pursuit of Rico, as Cech has needed replacing for some time.
The veteran ‘keeper, who joined the Gunners from Chelsea in 2015, conceded 48 goals in 34 Premier League games last season and made a number of errors leading to goals that led to calls for him to be axed over the summer.
Arsenal instead made him their new No.1, so it doesn’t appear Cech is going anywhere until his deal runs out next year, but their interest in Rico does suggest they’re planning for the future.