Arsenal and Wolves are far apart on their valuations of goalkeeper Dan Bentley as it stands, but the clubs are still working to reach a compromise.
Before The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed Arsenal’s move for Wolves’ Dan Bentley, fellow journalist Alan Nixon had broken the news, and the journalist has a new update on his Patreon page.
Nixon reports that Arsenal and Wolves are well apart on their valuations of Bentley as it stands, with Wolves wanting around £1m for the sale, but the Gunners hoping to complete a deal for a lot less.
Wolves want to bring in enough to fund a replacement, but the two clubs are still working on the move and could still meet in the middle.
Even paying Wolves’ full valuation of £1m wouldn’t be a major outlay for a club like Arsenal, but it’s worth putting the situation in perspective.
Bentley joined Wolves for a nominal fee, reportedly in the region of £50,000, having just six months left on his Bristol City contract at the time. He is now entering the final year of his Wolves deal.
For a 30-year-old backup goalkeeper who only cost £50k, with a year left on his deal and suggestions that Arsenal might plan to use him as a third-choice option, the Gunners evidently believe £1m is a bit much.
Bentley featured five times for Wolves last season, and he’s homegrown, having played for Arsenal as a youth player. He represented the young Gunners between 2001 and 2008, before moving on to progress into senior football with Southend United.
After that, Bentley played for then-Championship sides Brentford and Bristol City, before eventually making the step back up to the Premier League in 2023 by joining Wolves.