Almunia eying Spanish return

(GSM) – Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is keen to return to Spain in the January transfer window, according to his agent.

Almunia has been sidelined with an elbow injury since September, and the Spaniard’s number one keeper slot has apparently been granted to his previous understudy Lukasz Fabianski.

The 33-year-old has come under heavy criticism after some errors cost his team vital points and although he once considered switching nationalities to be eligible for England, his career has seemingly stalled at the Emirates.

And despite being in negotiations with the London club, Almunia is targeting a return to his country of birth, according to his agent Joseba Diaz.

Diaz told the Daily Mirror: “We have not finished negotiations (with Arsenal), but it is clear that Manuel wants to return to Spain.”

Primera Division strugglers Málaga have been linked with a move for the former Albacete, Celta de Vigo and Recreativo Huelva keeper.