Arsenal are looking to tie down a trio of players to new contracts before their current deals run out at the end of the month and are in “last-minute negotiations” with each player as they bid to prevent either player from leaving Emirates Stadium for free.
Goalkeeper Karl Hein and 19-year-old academy pair Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters’ contracts are all set to expire on June 30, as all three are yet to agree fresh terms with the Gunners ahead of the new season. As expected, it has already been announced that Mohamed Elneny, 31, will leave the club after eight years when his deal expires in a little under three weeks, while Cedric Soares will also depart for free following his move from Fulham in 2020.
The experienced duo represented Arsenal 225 times between them during their time in North London, and while Hein, Cozier-Duberry and Walters have only racked up one senior appearance between them, the club are keen to tie all three down to new contracts and are confident of doing so.
Arsenal ‘Optimistic’ of Renewals
Time is running out for the club before the trio can leave for nothing
The Athletic’s James McNicholas has revealed that the Gunners are feeling confident about tying down Hein, Cozier-Duberry and Walters, despite all three players being at different stages of their careers.
Hein, 22, is a full international and has made 30 appearances for Estonia. The 6’3″ goalkeeper joined Arsenal U18s in 2019 and has often been on the bench, including all 10 Champions League matches last campaign and seven times in the league over the last three seasons. He made his one and only Gunners’ appearance in a 3-1 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, but the club are keen to keep hold of the player with Aaron Ramsdale edging towards an exit.
As for Cozier-Duberry and Walters, despite the pair being the same age, Walters is understood to be keen on first-team football. The defender was called up to Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad on numerous occasions during the 2023/24 campaign and although he has not played a minute of senior football so far, he reportedly feels ready to move on from academy football.
