Arsenal interested in Niemi, says agent

Anti Niemi’s agent has revealed Arsenal are interested in signing the Southampton goalkeeper, but insists the Finn is not looking for a way out of St Mary’s.

The Gunners were today linked with a £5m (€7.6m) move for Niemi, who has been hugely impressive at Southampton since arriving from Hearts for £2m (€3m) in August 2002.

Arsenal’s current number one Jens Lehmann has attracted criticism this season for a number of errors and was at fault for the goal which allowed Chelsea back into their Champions League quarter-final second leg tie in midweek.

Niemi’s agent Richard Cody is aware of Arsenal’s interest but was keen to stress the Finland international is not instigating the transfer talk.

He said: “I know of Arsenal’s interest – they’ve got to approach Southampton and it will be taken on from there.

“Anti hasn’t asked for a transfer – he loves it at Southampton. He has just recently bought a house in the New Forest so he’s very happy there, although obviously he is disappointed Gordon Strachan will be leaving.”