Arsenal Close to Third Signing as Italian Goalkeeper Arrives for Medical – Report

Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal on Sunday as manager Arsene Wenger looks to sign an experienced goalkeeper to provide competition for Wojiech Szczesny.

The 27-year-old has been capped six times by Italy and spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, helping the club to a fourth-place finish and Europa League qualification.

Now it seems he could once again be loaned out by Palermo after Sky Italia reported that Viviano was flying to London for a medical at Arsenal, who would also have an option to buy next summer.

Viviano was said to be keen to remain with Fiorentina but La Viola decided against making the deal permanent.

The 6ft 5in stopper began his career at Brescia and then impressed at Bologna, which led to Inter Milan signing him in the summer of 2011. However, a cruciate knee injury meant he never represented the Italian giants and moved to Palermo.

After the Sicilian side were relegated to Serie B, Viviano was linked with several clubs, including Roma, Torino, AC Milan and Napoli.

However, it seems he could now make the move to the Premier League as Wenger looks to secure a keeper who can provide competition to current number one Szczesny.

The Gunners have been heavily criticised for failing to make significant additions during the summer transfer window, with free agents Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini the only new arrivals to date.

With the transfer window closing on Monday evening, it remains to be seen whether more new faces will arrive, with much perhaps depending on whether Arsenal can gain a positive result against Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon.