Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners to Lose Keeper Wojciech Szczesny to Barcelona in January?

With the January transfer window at hand, Arsenal has issued a list of seven players they believe they can afford to let go. The Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly planning a mass revamp of his squad, in order to make way for new players.

The list includes the goalkeepers Manuel Almunia of Spain and Vito Mannone of Italy. It does not include the club's first-choice keeper, Wojciech Szczesny.

However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the Pole may be the one to leave, following reports he has attracted attention from reigning Spanish champions, Barcelona. The club is believed to be looking to replace their back-up keeper, Jose Manuel Pinto.

Pinto, formerly of Spanish club Celta Vigo, has turned 36 and is expected to announce his retirement. In any case, Barcelona have drawn up a list of possible replacements and Szczesny is among the candidates.

The list is also believed to include Esteban Andrada, the young Argentinean who currently plays for Lanus in his home country. Barca are also believed to be interested in Serie A club Brescia's Nicola Leali and Eredivisie club FC Twente's Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov, according to a insidespanishfootball.com report.

Wojciech Tomasz Szczesny, who is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczesny, has made 70 appearances for the Gunners and has managed to claim 28 clean-sheets.