Lehmann set for Stuttgart switch

Arsenal’s out of favour goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted he could play for Stuttgart but has not ruled out retiring from the game altogether.

The Bundesliga club have reportedly made an approach for the 38-year-old stopper, who can leave the Gunners on a free transfer this summer.

Stuttgart’s number one, Raphael Schafer, has failed to live up to expectations since joining from Nurnberg last season and has been dropped for the final game of the campaign after making one mistake too many.

Lehmann, who lost his place to Manuel Almunia after a shaky start to the season, has long been expected to return to his home country to end his career.

He said: “Yes, if I choose to keep playing, then I can imagine playing for VfB (Stuttgart). VfB is an established name in the Bundesliga.”

However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Lehmann is delaying making his decision until after this summer’s Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

“He has indicated to me that he will make a decision after the European Championships and he will certainly be influenced by the way it goes,” said Wenger.

“He does not know if he will continue to play.”