By Paul Collins
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul says he will be ready to start the campaign with the club despite being eyed up by Arsenal.
The 15million-rated Dutch stopper is reportedly being tracked by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, but says the pre-season and beginning of the Premier League term at Newcastle is first in his mind.
Staying put? Krul has eyes on the start of the campaign with Newcastle, but all could change quickly
Replacement: Wenger has his eyes on a new number one to strengthen his back five
Krul, capped by Holland five times, made 24 appearances for Newcastle last season after an impressive first campaign on Tyneside in 2011-12.
The 25-year-old told The Sun: 'I will be fit for the first game of the season.
'I'll try to get a couple of friendly games to get myself fully up to speed — and I'm right on schedule.'
Unreliable: Wojciech Szczesny's indifferent season has put question marks over his selection
Coming in? QPR and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar is also thought to be on Wenger's hit list
Krul has been sidelined after requiring surgery on a dislocated shoulder in April, but Wenger is thought to be desperate for a goalkeeper to replace Wojciech Szcz?sny as the club's number one.
QPR's Julio Cesar has also in Wenger's hit list, while former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had been tracked before Liverpool beat the Gunners to the Belgian's signature.
Arsenal are also thought to be considering whether to place a bid for Swansea defender Ashley Williams following Thomas Vermaelen's back injury which threatens to rule him out of the start of the season.
Long-standing interest: Williams is still being tracked, with Wenger considering a bid for the defender
would be worried if any club were interested in buying him other than Arsenal, they have a similar transfer policy to us these days. Still, cam imagine the fat man rubbing his hands now.
- baron , Poggleswood, 13/7/2013 18:17
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