Arsenal near loan deal for Palermo keeper Emiliano Viviano

Numerous sources are now reporting that Arsenal are making a loan deal for Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who is a backup to the great Gianluigi Buffon as Italy's top goalkeeper. First up, The Mirror's John Cross:

And Wenger's spending will not stop there as they have agreed a season-long loan deal for Palermo's Italian international keeper Emiliano Viviano, 27.

Mirror Sport understands that Wojciech Szczesny will keep his place as No1 and Viviano is seen as top quality competition, back-up and strength in depth as he is a keeper capable of competing to be first choice.

-- Source: The Mirror

And Arsenal transfer maven Jamie Sanderson has more details for us, via twitter:

Arsenal all but there with Emiliano Viviano. Had medical yesterday. £1m loan fee agreed. Just waiting on confirmation.

— Jamie Sanderson (@Sanderson) September 2, 2013

If this is happening, Lukasz Fabianski might be on the outside looking in, after having made some good contributions last year while Szczesny was out in the desert. It's perhaps a bit harsh on the guy, but if one has a chance to sign up a keeper who only Buffon can hold at bay as keeper of Italy, well, yeah.