PSG, Liverpool... Who Oblak could join if he leaves Atlético Madrid
With Jan Oblak refusing to rule out a summer departure from Atlético, AS takes a look at four potential suitors for the Slovenian goalkeeper.
Jan Oblak's comments after helping Atlético Madrid win the Europa League this week have set alarm bells ringing at the Wanda Metropolitano. Speaking in the wake of Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Marseille, the goalkeeper said that he is happy at Atlético but did not rule out leaving the LaLiga club this summer, declaring: "I don't know what will happen, it doesn't depend on me."
We take a look at four possible destinations for Oblak if the Slovenian international, who is under contract at Los Rojiblancos until 2021 and has a 100-million-euro release clause, were to move on:
Juventus
Juventus are looking for a reliable replacement for Gianluigi Buffon - who has announced his end-of-season departure after 17 years at the Serie A club - and enquired about Oblak last September. However, their interest in him appears to have cooled, with keepers such as Mattia Perin, Antonio Mirante, Andrea Consigli and Federico Marchetti now more heavily linked with the Italian champions.
Arsenal
Arsenal are preparing a summer overhaul and, whoever takes over from Arsène Wenger, it looks like the Gunners will need to sign a new goalkeeper, given the dip in Petr Cech's performances this term - probably due to his advancing years - and the fact that reserve custodian David Ospina has failed to convince. Oblak is very much on the Premier League club's radar.
Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp faces a goalkeeping conundrum at Liverpool. Loris Karius has had a good season, but doubts persist over his ability to cement himself as the Reds' long-term number one. The Champions League final against Real Madrid is likely to have a significant bearing on the German's prospects. What is clear, meanwhile, is that Simon Mignolet is not up to the job.
It now remains to be seen whether Liverpool bring in a big-name keeper - in which case Oblak would be high on the list - or place their faith in Karius and sign an understudy to the 24-year-old, a role for which, it has been rumoured, they could take Pepe Reina back to Anfield from Napoli.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are perhaps the side to have shown the most interest in Oblak. With one of the Ligue 1 winners' two first-choice goalkeepers, Alphonse Areola and Kevin Trapp, likely to leave this summer, the Atlético stopper has become a major target for the Parisians, whose sporting director, Antero Henrique, is thought to view the position as a prime candidate to be strengthened in the close season.
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