Jan. 5 Transfer News: Young Swedish Goalkeeper Attracts Arsenal, Chelsea

If new reports by the Swedish sporting media are to be believed, English Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping a close on young Swedish goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson.

Johnsson, 21, currently plays his club football at second-tier Swedish club Halmstads BK, who were relegated to the Superettan from the country's top-tier league - Allsvenskan - only last season. The player, however, is second-choice goalkeeper in his current club's squad. Any move, to either Arsenal or Chelsea, could see him continue to remain on the bench but could be one that benefits his career as a whole.

The English clubs have a decent selection of goalkeepers in each of their squads. Nevertheless, while Arsenal will look for cover for outgoing Spanish shot-stopper Manuel Almunia, Chelsea will hope to replace exit-bound Portuguese custodian Henrique Hilario.

However, it remains to be seen if Johnsson will agree to terms set by the interested clubs, since he himself is looking for a first-team place, according to a Footybunker.com report.