Seaman could sign deal if he stays number one

DAVID SEAMAN could sign a new one-year deal at Arsenal after all – provided the veteran England goalkeeper receives assurances he will be given every opportunity to prove he is still Highbury number one next season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, whose own future with the club has been thrown into doubt after frantic speculation that he could join Real Madrid in two weeks, wants Seaman to take over from retiring Bob Wilson as Arsenal's goalkeeping coach.

Wenger who has reiterated his commitment to Arsenal for at least two more years the remaining time left on his latest contract would also want to retain Seaman's registration as a player, ideally as a back-up to any new signing while Stuart Taylor, 22, is still being groomed for the first-team job.

But Arsenal, it is believed, are still not close to signing a new keeper even though they have been linked with Leeds United's Paul Robinson also reportedly coveted by Manchester United and Turkey World Cup star Rustu Recber, who is said to be considering an offer from Barcelona.

Sunderland's Danish international Thomas Sorensen is believed to be another possibility but his arrival could be on the basis of having to fight it out with Seaman for the senior jersey.

Seaman, 40 in September but in outstanding form at the end of last season when he made 43 Arsenal appearances, has reportedly had offers from both Manchester City and Birmingham City for next season when he still hopes to retain his England international status by playing regular Premiership football.

But Arsenal's local rivals Tottenham yesterday dismissed suggestions that they have joined the race to recruit him.

The Seaman-for-Spurs theory may have taken root through Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle's known admiration for the keeper whom he regularly selected during his days as England manager.

But Seaman, who after 13 years at Highbury, would fully appreciate the difficulties likely to be encountered by a move to Tottenham, would also have to fight for his place at White Hart Lane where United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller, 33, was an ever-present in the side last season keeping out Scotland's Neil Sullivan and has recently signed a two-year contract.

Hoddle, currently abroad on holiday, also publicly sprang to Seaman's defence when the Arsenal star was fiercely criticised for vital goals against England by Brazil, in the World Cup, and Macedonia, in a Euro 2004 qualifier.

Seaman has been left out of the squad by Sven-Goran Eriksson for the next qualifier against Slovakia but still believes he can regain his England place after 75 caps.