Arsenal negotiations over a permanent deal for Mat Ryan are ongoing, but the club may look to focus on a homegrown goalkeeper instead.
Ryan Taylor reports that as of Saturday, negotiations between Arsenal and Brighton over the permanent transfer of Mat Ryan are ongoing. However, the Gunners might prioritise a homegrown goalkeeper instead.
James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that a homegrown goalkeeper is a priority for Arsenal this summer.
There was talk of interest in David Raya and Freddie Woodman, but Woodman seems by far the more likely of the two after Brentford’s promotion cancelled Raya’s release clause.
But The Athletic piece claimed Arsenal are also exploring other options, focusing on finding a young, developing goalkeeper rather than an experienced backup.
That’s likely to cause problems for Ryan, who is neither homegrown nor young. Goalkeepers can play on for longer than most footballers, but Ryan is 29 and even now he’d still likely join as a backup rather than a starter.
Ryan did well enough in his loan spell with Arsenal and seems to be popular with the fans. But if the club choose to make a longer-term signing instead, that might end his hopes of a summer move to North London.