Arsene Wenger Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suffered a major setback as their key goalkeeper target signed a news contractReuters

Arsenal's hopes of signing Loris Karius were dealt a blow, with the Gunners' goalkeeper target putting pen to paper on a new contract, which will see him stay put with the German club Maniz until 2018.

The Gunners had been keeping close tabs on the situation, but with the player having signed a new contract, the club have been forced to look at options elsewhere.

The Mirror reports that Arsenal are ready to make a move for Genoa's Mattia Perin after failing to land Karius.

"It was not an easy decision for me, but definitely the right one and a decision from the heart," said Karius according to The Daily Star.

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"For me it is a commitment to the club and our fans. I look forward to the next few years here in Mainz."

Arsenal are now ready to try and sign Perin, in spite of possessing three good goalkeepers in Wojciech Szczesny, David Ospina and Emiliano Martinez. Szczesny was dropped by Arsene Wenger for the win over Stoke City at the weekend leading to suggestions a new goalkeeper could come in.

It is not for the first time that Perin has attracted interest from the Gunners, as they were keen on the goalie during last summer as well. Clubs such as Barcelona and AC Milan were also reportedly interested.

Fellow Premier League club Liverpool are also on the lookout for a new goalkeeper, as Brendan Rodgers looks to replace Simon Mignolet between the sticks. The Belgian has been below par this season, which has also led him to be dropped for a few matches this season.

The other possibility for the Gunners as well as the Reds could be Chelsea's Petr Cech, who has lost his place to Thibaut Courtois in Chelsea's starting lineup.