There could be changes to the Arsenal goalkeeping department this summer as Edu looks to shape Mikel Arteta’s squad for the new season.
Aaron Ramsdale started as the Gunners’ number one last campaign but soon found himself out of the team following David Raya’s arrival from Brentford on loan. Perhaps harsh on the England international given his impressive performances for the north Londoners in the two years prior, Raya took some time to settle but ended up winning the Premier League Golden Glove after keeping 16 clean sheets.
“I didn’t aim for it, I just wanted to leave my mark here,” Raya told Arsenal’s official website. “I wanted to start playing as soon as possible, compete and be part of this great football club. Down the line, we just started keeping clean sheets and going higher up the table. I didn’t think about the trophy until someone said I was top of the standings.”
Raya moved to Arsenal on loan last summer for an initial fee of £3million, football.london understands, with the deal including an option of making the switch permanent for a further £27million. It’s believed that Arsenal intend to sign the Spaniard permanently and trigger that option in the coming weeks, although any deal may have to wait due to Raya’s involvement at Euro 2024 with Spain.
With Arsenal expected to announce the signing of Raya in the coming weeks, it appears that Edu has struck an agreement with another goalkeeper in the meantime. Karl Hein had been out of contract this summer but football.london understands the youngster has agreed to extend his stay at Emirates Stadium and sign a new deal.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper is expected to sign a new contract in the coming days, it’s believed. The Estonia international had been offered a new deal following the conclusion of the season but was said to be considering his options. Having signed his first professional contract in May 2019, Hein made his debut for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup against Brighton in November 2022 and had already made 30 appearances for Estonia.
football.london understands that Gunners chiefs are considering sending Hein out on loan to gain some valuable first team experience. The goalkeeper did spend part of the 2021/22 season on loan at Reading but his time was cut short due to injury.
A lot may depend on Ramsdale and whether the 26-year-old chooses to leave the Gunners this summer. The England international has made no secret of his desire to play week in week out but minutes will again be hard to come by next term with the permanent arrival of Raya.
That may lead to the former Sheffield United man leaving north London during the transfer window, with Edu keen to get at least £30million for the England international. If Ramsdale does depart, a replacement will need to be signed as Hein is most likely too inexperienced to make the step up to be the club’s number two. Brighton’s Jason Steele, Justin Bijlow of Feyenoord and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin are just some of the goalkeepers linked with a move.
