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According to Calciomercato, Serie A side Napoli are set to make goalkeeper David Ospina’s loan switch from Arsenal a permanent transfer.

What’s the story?

The Colombian shot-stopper is thought to be keen on making his stay at the Italian club a permanent one, and the Gunners are apparently happy to see the 30-year-old go.

Ospina arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Nice in the summer of 2014, and made over 70 appearances for the club in all competitions over the next four seasons - winning two FA Cups in his time in England. Before the start of this current Premier League campaign he was allowed to join Napoli on a temporary agreement.

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Clearly there is no place for the 93-cap Colombia international in Unai Emery’s plans, and his future almost certainly lies away from Arsenal.

A replacement in mind

Emery must find a new goalkeeper this summer though. Not only does Ospina look set to leave, but veteran ‘keeper Petr Cech has also announced that he is going to retire at the end of this season.

That would leave Bernd Leno as the only established, experienced goalkeeper at the Emirates Stadium. The German is currently Emery’s first choice but there have been visible flaws in his game this season. 

Allowing Ospina to leave, rather than return to provide back up for Leno, suggests that Emery already has a replacement for this role in mind. That could mean that the Gunners enter the market for a new glovesman this summer, or 26-year-old Argentine Emiliano Martinez - currently on loan at Reading - could finally be given his chance to properly compete for the No. 1 spot.