Arsenal set to land Schwarzer for £3.5m

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to ditch Manuel Almunia for Fulham's Mark Schwarzer.

Arsenal' Manager Arsene Wenger, is expected to hold talks with Fulham' executive directors with a view to bringing their vastly experienced Australian shot-stopper (Schwarzer), to the Emirates as part of his rectification plan ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

The goalkeeper, whose eventful World Cup foray came to a brave end yesterday, is notoriously known on the daily "bound to Arsenal" transfer front. With one attacker already in, and another (a defender) supposedly on his way, our neighbour' first choice keeper looks set to be Wenger's third signing this summer, given the notion that he's currently agitating for a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to prove his worth in the colours of an elite European side, hopefully Roy Hodgson and his collaborators won't scupper the deal.

As can be clearly seen in today's instance; The Daily Mirror understands Arsenal have raised the stakes with an improved offer of £3.5, which if you ask me isn't bad for a 37-year old goal keeper, whose services will be utilised effectively throughout his productive stay with the Gunners.

After all, Peter Hill-Wood (Arsenal' Chairman) revealed some weeks ago, that an opening offer for Schwarzer - thought to be within the region of £3m failed to meet the specified sum stated by the Cottagers. In typical Arsenal manner, he cleverly refused to rule out the possibility of a future move, which in all honesty, left enough fertile ground for speculation to thrive.