Matt Turner has completed a move to Nottingham Forest for a little more than initially reported, but can he face Arsenal on Saturday?
On Wednesday morning, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest confirmed the transfer of Matt Turner on a permanent deal, a little over a year after the goalkeeper’s initial move to north London.
Initial reports suggested Arsenal were set to sell Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest for a deal worth £7m in total, though it turns out that figure was just the guaranteed fee.
Kaya Kaynak of Football.London and others report that the fee will be £10m after add-ons, a slight boost on the previous claims.
The question now is whether Turner will be able to make his debut against his former club, with Arsenal facing Forest in their opening Premier League game on Saturday.
New signings have to be registered by midday on the last working day before a match, which means midday on Friday in this case.
As Turner has already been registered as a Nottingham Forest player, he’s made it in well in advance of the deadline, and will be eligible to play.
Arsenal are now in a race against time to get David Raya registered before Friday, so he’ll be eligible for the game as well.
Nottingham Forest have been pursuing two goalkeeper signings this summer, hoping to add both Turner and Dean Henderson to their ranks.
But having failed to finalise a move for Henderson, Forest’s current options are Turner and Wayne Hennessey.
There are no guarantees, but it certainly seems as if the former Arsenal goalkeeper has a good chance to start against his old club at the weekend.
It would be a Premier League debut at the Emirates Stadium for the 29-year-old, but perhaps not the one he expected.