Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Goalkeeper David Ospina subject to interest from Besiktas

Arsenal are braced for an offer for a marginalised goalkeeper David Ospina after Besiktas declared in an interest in signing the Colombia international. The 27-year-old is a peripheral figure in North London, but he could be put out of his misery as early as the January transfer window should a deal be agreed.

Ospina began the campaign as the number two to Petr Cech and an active deputy in cup competitions, but the combination of a ghastly error in the Champions League defeat to Olympiacos in September, which saw him drop a Kostas Fortunis corner into his own net, and a shoulder injury has seen him restricted to just three starts this term. The ex-Nice stopper has since been restored to the Gunners first team squad, however it;s unlikely he will force his way back into contention.

Three months on from his last Arsenal appearance, Ospina has been a unused substitute for the club in each of their last six games including the 2-0 win at Aston Villa that saw Arsene Wenger's side top of the Premier League table. There are no guarantees over Ospina's future involvement however, and that could see him offloaded, with Besiktas among the clubs attracted.

"We are interested in Ospina," Besiktas vice-president Ahmet Nur Cebi told Beyaz TV, according to the Evening Standard. "Him and goalkeepers of his calibre, but just because we want him does not mean he will come. We have to agree with his club and take his contract into consideration."

Cech cemented his position as Arsenal's number one with a Premier League record-equalling 169<sup>th clean sheet in the victory at Villa Park. The Czech Republic international is under no pressure from Ospina over his position and even feels youngster Matt Macey is more likely to make an impact on the first team in the near future.

"One thing that is very positive is Matt is very into the work and is willing to improve, to learn and take information on board and understand what it takes to be in the first team," Cech told Arsenal Player. "That is very important because being a part of the first team is one thing but staying there and continuing to develop is another. He is constantly willing to improve and learn and this gives him a chance to get better and to stay in the first-team."

Mathieu Debuchy could also leave Emirates Stadium in the new year after complaining over a lack of opportunities this season. Debuchy is concerned that being behind Hector Bellerin will hurt his chances of playing for France at next summer's European Championship and is open to joining a Premier League rival.

"At the moment I need game time," Debuchy told RMC. "I really need to play. [France coach] Didier Deschamps didn't call me for the last two games [to play for France] so it is obvious. I've got to play more than I do, that is why I want to talk to Wenger soon. We need to talk about it, but we already had a chat in pre-season, and we agreed that we would talk again in December if I wasn't happy with my playing time. We're in December, so we'll see."