Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has been in contact with Arsenal to inquire about the availability of Wojciech Szczesny because the Dutch club expect to lose their goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to Manchester United.

United are still insistent that David de Gea will not be allowed to join Real Madrid this summer and will have to wait a year until his contract runs out to go to the Bernabeu. But Ajax have now begun actively looking for a new keeper in the expectation that Cillessen, 26, will be leaving.

Szczesny has lost his place to Petr Cech but at present the Pole seems to want to stay at Arsenal an to fight it out for the No 1 position, although that could change as the pre-season progresses and it becomes apparent he has minimal opportunities to do so.

Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has been in contact with Arsenal to inquire about Wojciech Szczesny

The Dutch club expect to lose their goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to Manchester United this summer

Cillessen's arrival could indicate a willingness from United to sell David de Gea to Real Madrid

Arsenal also have Colombian David Ospina, who could be an option for Ajax having performed well for Arsenal at the end of last season.

Cillessen is a natural choice for United manager Louis van Gaal, given that they have worked together in the Dutch national team and United will need at least one goalkeeper, with Victor Valdes on his way out after falling out with Van Gaal over his commitment to playing for United’s Under 21 team.

But a move for Cillessen would most likely indicate that United were willing to let De Gea leave for Real Madrid, even though the current positon is that he is not for sale.

Former Arsenal star Overmars has already taken Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo on loan for a year at Ajax.

Szczesny wants to fight for the No 1 spot at Arsenal but that stance could change during pre-season