Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the ‘free’ transfer of Markus Schubert but it will actually cost them over half-a-million pounds.

The Independent report that although the deal isn’t officially completed, Arsenal are close enough to finalising the signing of Markus Schubert that they’re already speaking to various clubs about loaning him out next season.

The Gunners have reportedly already been in contact with Championship clubs and teams back in Germany about a temporary transfer for the incoming goalkeeper, so they must be pretty confident.

It is being widely reported that he is a free transfer because he’s out of contract but Arsenal will still have to pay €560k if it goes ahead. Bild claim this is the amount of ‘training compensation’ Arsenal will have to fork out due to Schubert’s age (he’s 21).

The amount is calculated by multiplying the number of years he was with Dresden (eight) by €70k and it is expected to be paid ‘within four weeks of signing the contract’.

He is currently valued at around twice that amount so while he wouldn’t be technically free, he would still represent a bargain.