The agent of Jan Mucha claims that Arsenal, Tottenham and a number of other English clubs were in the race to sign the keeper, until Everton inked a deal. Slovakia international Mucha is set to join the Toffees after this summer's World Cup when his contract with current club Legia Warsaw will have expired.

Mucha's representative, Jozef Tokos, has announced that he held talks with the Gunners and received contact from a host of other clubs.

He told SITA: "I can confirm the interest of Arsenal. Their scouts watched him in a number of games during the autumn.

"They labelled him as one of two goalkeepers they were keen to sign, with the addition that Mucha was their primary target.

"As a result of that I held talks with Arsenal representatives in November. We went through all important matters and then I was waiting only for one call, which has, however, never been made."

Tokos added: "Indeed, a large number of clubs contacted me, but mostly they have not made a specific offer.

"Among these teams are Wigan Athletic, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Stoke City from England."