29 December 2007

Arsenal 'open to Lehmann offers'

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Jens Lehmann but manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he wants the goalkeeper to stay at the Emirates. The 38-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs in Germany and England but no firm bid has so far been made. "We will sit down together if an offer comes, but I believe first he has to make his own mind up if he wants to stay with us, or not," said Wenger. "I, personally, would prefer him to stay with us."
Spaniard Manuel Almunia has kept Lehmann out of the starting line-up this season, prompting speculation that the latter could move in order to safeguard his place in the German team for Euro 2008. Former club Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin, VFB Stuttgart, Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City are rumoured to be interested in signing the veteran.
"I heard about Dortmund but I have had no contact with anybody," said Wenger. Lehmann joined Arsenal from Dortmund in August 2003 and won the Premier League title with the Gunners in 2004 and the FA Cup in 2005, but has made just two league appearances this term.
Wenger said Lehmann's position was different to that of other members of the squad, who are also rumoured to want more regular opportunities in the first team.

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