English Premier League frontrunners Arsenal and Manchester City are closely following developments of goalkeeper Iker Casillas as his spot in the Real Madrid starting 11 still remains unsettled.

The 32-year-old was the first-choice for the Los Blancos between the sticks before former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho placed him on the sidelines because of reported clashes in the dressing room between them.

Fast forward to his current situation under Carlo Ancelloti, Spain's number one has still struggled to reclaim his throne despite Ancelloti's initial vow and preference to use him as a starter.

With the 2014 World Cup Finals just around the corner, Casillas may have to consider opting out of the Santiago Bernabeu as fierce competition like FC Barcelona's Victor Valdes, who has been seeing regular minutes of first-team football, may also jeopardize the Madrid man's position in the Spanish national team.

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny has definitely improved his craft over the years and deserves a starting job at the Emirates, but a player of his caliber does not come close to Casillas' class.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini's apparent dissatisfaction with the struggling Joe Hart could pave the way to see the Spaniard head to Manchester in January.

A transfer involving Casillas is imminent as he would absolutely not pass up on what could be his last chance to represent Spain as a starter in the World Cup.

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