German Keeper Honoured to Be Linked with Arsenal

Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler admits that he is flattered to be linked with a possible move to Arsenal but the club's general manager has denied that there has been any contact with the north London club.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of goalkeepers in recent months with speculation rife that manager Arsene Wenger has lost faith in Wojciech Szczesny and is keen to bring a more experienced stopper to the Emirates.

The Poland international had lost his place in the team after a string of errors but has since regained the number one shirt after Lukasz Fabianski suffered a cracked rib earlier this month.

However, it seems Wenger is unhappy with his current options and Adler has clearly been made aware of rumoured interest from Arsenal.

"I am under contract with Hamburger, but for every professional it will be a pleasure and honour to get linked with a club like this," Adler told Sky Sports. "This is flattering. It will absolutely hand me more motivation, I will not lose my focus."

The German international came through the Bayer Leverkusen youth system and spent 12 years at the club before making the decision to run down his contract and join Hamburg on a free transfer last summer.

His performances have clearly caught the eye of Wenger but Hamburg general manager Frank Arnesen has made it clear that there is yet to be any contact from Arsenal.

"It's obviously a fact Arsenal FC is on the search for a goalkeeper. But thus far no-one from Arsenal FC has been in touch with our club," said Arnesen.

Having landed the 28-year-old on a free transfer, Hamburg would stand to make a significant profit on the player should he be sold after just one season.

While Adler is aware of Arsenal's interest he is unlikely to be the only option for Wenger who has previously been strongly linked with Barcelona's Victor Valdes and Liverpool number one Pepe Reina.