Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Targeting Real Madrid Keeper Iker Casillas

With the January transfer window approaching, soccer clubs from various leagues around the globe have their sights set on improving their respective rosters for the final stretch of the season. International giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all expected to involve themselves in some way during the winter transfer period and even though some clubs might already be in good form, the acquisition of a top player would not be something a team would dismiss.

The Arsenal Gunners are currently sitting third in the competitive Barclays Premier League after earning 35 points in 16 matches. One point shy of table leading Liverpool, manager Arsene Wenger and his Gunners are in great shape heading into the second half of the season, but that doesn't mean the Emirates boss wants to remain quiet during the transfer period. Wenger purged the summer window with the signing of former Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil and with his squad hoping to capture the Premier League title a year after finishing fourth, Wenger and company may enter talks with higher-ups at the Bernabeu once again.

According to multiple sources, the Gunners continue to express interest in current Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. The 32-year-old Spanish international has been a phenomenal player for Los Blancos over the years but lost his place with the first team a year ago, which turned out to be manager Jose Mourinho's final season before taking the job at Chelsea. First-year manager Carlo Ancelotti has elected to remain with Diego Lopez between the pipes, leaving many to believe that Casillas could be on the move soon. Though speculation continues to grow as to what will take place – if anything – between Arsenal and Real Madrid, the Mostoles, Spain native said recently that he sees himself at Real Madrid since he has spent his entire career with the La Liga giants.

“In the future I see myself out of Real Madrid, inside ten years,” he said. “At 38 it will be much more difficult for me. Today, I'm one of Los Blancos. I'm delighted to be at Real Madrid. In five or six years, we'll see. Every day rumors appear and whilst these stories appear, I belong to Real Madrid, which is the club of my life. I want to stay here. Right now, my decision is to stay at Real Madrid. I want to get the tenth European Cup, more trophies and more league titles.”

Real Madrid is currently third in the Spanish Primera Division, sitting five points back of league-leading Barcelona.