Arsenal are preparing a £5.5million bid for Cagliari and Italy World Cup keeper Federico Marchetti, according to The Sun.

Manger Arsene Wenger has initiated a hunt for a new goalkeeper after losing faith in his other two stoppers Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

A £2 million bid for first choice target Mark Schwarzer was rejected by Fulham and Wenger has now turned his attention to Marchetti, who stood in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon during the World Cup with Italy.

His Cagliari club president Massimo Cellino has admitted the player's desire to leave and appeared to have given him his blessing.

"Marchetti has expressed his desire to leave," he was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"The only real club pushing for his signature is Arsenal and we will do everything to make him happy."

Marchetti himself is adamant he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

He said: "My characteristics are based on strength but courage and understanding of your abilities are the basis for success."