By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 05:36 EST, 20 August 2013 | UPDATED: 07:32 EST, 20 August 2013

Arsenal are considering a dramatic move for Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas as they step up their pursuit of a replacement for error-prone Wojciech Szczesny. 

The Spain captain is known to be unsettled at the Bernabeu after losing his automatic place in the first team under Jose Mourinho and the Gunners are keeping a close eye on his situation. 

Arsenal - shocked by their Barclays Premier League opening-day defeat by Aston Villa - are desperate to land a world-class goalkeeper and the World Cup winner and European champion would certainly fit the bill.

London calling? Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

London calling? Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Benched: Casillas lost his place in the Real Madrid team under Jose Mourinho and has yet to win it back

Benched: Casillas lost his place in the Real Madrid team under Jose Mourinho and has yet to win it back

In action: Casillas (left) stops a shot from Manchester City's Sergio Aguero in the Champions League last season

In action: Casillas (left) stops a shot from Sergio Aguero in the Champions League last season

Leading man: Casillas (centre) lifts the Euro 2012 trophy as Spain captain

Leading man: Casillas (centre) lifts the Euro 2012 trophy as Spain captain

King of the world: Casillas lifts the World Cup (left) and Spain's first major trophy at Euro 2008 (right)

The north London club discussed moving for Chelsea No 1 Petr Cech before the transfer window opened, believing that Thibaut Courtois would return from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid and replace Cech in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. 

Although Arsene Wenger is keen on Casilllas, the stumbling block could be his price. Casillas is 32 and ever-prudent Arsenal do not want to pay big money for a move knowing full well they cannot sell him on. 

They would consider a fee of around 8million but fear Madrid would not listen to offers below the 15m mark.

Struggling: Arsenal's current No 1 Wojciech Szczesny saw Aston Villa score three past him on Saturday

Struggling: Arsenal's current No 1 Wojciech Szczesny saw Aston Villa score three past him on Saturday

Arsenal, who trained on Tuesday ahead of their crunch Champions League play-off with Fenerbahce, have endured a frustrating summer in the transfer markets.

Key targets including Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gonzalo have failed to arrive at the Emirates while a clear out has left Wenger's squad looking thin on the ground.

The Gunners have also been linked with a move for QPR keeper Julio Cesar but the Brazilian has claimed he is happy to remain with the Championship side.

Make or break: Arsenal train ahead of their crunch clash with Fenerbahce in the Champions League in Turkey

Make or break: Arsenal train ahead of their crunch clash with Fenerbahce in the Champions League in Turkey



The comments below have not been moderated.

Just put a funny bid for Ronaldo like £80m and 1 P

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Never happen. Non story perhaps to use as leverage against their real target, presumably a 19 year old French non league hot prospect goalie they want to buy for £275.00 ha ha

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in your dreams...

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Bring it on you spuds bottlers! So full of it again eh. Like every season. The spuds play awful football to watch and always bottle it. So be quiet. Put your money where your mouth is, when we play in a couple of weeks for starters and at the end of the season. Lets see how you get on shall we. My guess is 6th. Even a poor Arsenal side will do better than you, again haha

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As I have said many times before "why in the hell had we not targeted a top class goalkeeper before the end of last season". Even then Mignolet was being named as a suitable candidate. We've now lost him to Liverpool. I despair.

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I really can't understand Arsenal fans, end of last season most of you were desperate to get 4th spot and celebrated like you had won the world cup when you did. I said and I have said it every year since about 2010 the worst thing for Arsenal is to stay in the Champions League! It makes Wenger/Board feel that the team is good enough so you don't sign anybody worth signing. Best thing for Arsenal is a new manager, Wenger has had his day I'm afraid. Just a note to Arsenal fans, even if you go on to win your next 10 premier league games, don't hail Wenger and your team as gods again, because this current Arsenal team will inevitably bottle it and end up empty handed come May. FACT.

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great choice wenger.......you let in 3 against the villains...the worst is yet to come....

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He's not that good. If he were Ancelotti would be picking him in the first eleven. A great shot stopper but awful with high balls and has no idea how to come off his line. The Stoke keeper would have been a better bet.

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Panic stations Arsenal supporters, THE ARSENAL BOARD PUT ALL THEIR EGGS INTO ONE BASKET - SUAREZ AND FAILED, you will struggle to make the top 4 now, why are you not going after Willian? he would surely join you in front of Spurs

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Panic stations Arsenal supporters, THE ARSENAL BOARD PUT ALL THEIR EGGS INTO ONE BASKET - SUAREZ AND FAILED, you will struggle to make the top 4 now, why are you not going after Willian? he would surely join you in front of Spurs

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