Taylor in talks over new deal

Arsenal have opened talks with goalkeeper Stuart Taylor about a new four-year contract.

The 22-year-old has two years left on his existing deal but Arsene Wenger wants to reassure the former England Under-21 international that he has an important role to play in the club's future.

Taylor made it clear in Standard Sport last month that he intends to fight for the first-team spot despite speculation that an experienced replacement for David Seaman would be signed.

The new favourite for that role seems to be Colombian goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba, now at Besiktas.

Wenger is reported to have discussed a deal with Cordoba at the Confederations Cup in France, where Colombia were competing and the Arsenal boss was working for French television.

But Wenger is leaving his options open and is still looking at Valencia's Santiago Canizares and Monaco's Flavio Roma.