Senior Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein is set to sign for Charlton Athletic on loan for the season, according to reports.

Arsenal's Karl Hein controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Karl Hein controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

James McNicholas broke the news for The Athletic on Tuesday morning that Karl Hein was in talks to complete a loan exit from Arsenal, with League One side Charlton Athletic leading the race ahead of Barnsley.

Richard Cawley of LondonNewsOnline then reported that Charlton are set to sign Hein after negotiations to sign free agent Asmir Begovic broke down.

Cawley mentioned that Hein had also been mooted as a potential target for Barnsley, but it seems Charlton will win the race for his signature.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Goalkeeper Karl Hein of Arsenal makes a save during the match against Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field on July 31, 2024. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Goalkeeper Karl Hein of Arsenal makes a save during the match against Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field on July 31, 2024. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Hein signed a new contract with Arsenal this summer, opting not to leave the club as a free agent, but he did so on the basis that the Gunners would try to source him a good loan with regular first-team football.

With David Raya joining permanently, Arsenal signing a couple of teenage goalkeepers, and talk that they could look to bring in one more if Aaron Ramsdale leaves, it’s no surprise Hein wants a temporary move elsewhere.

The Estonia international would be third choice in north London, a situation he already has plenty of experience with over the last couple of years.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Karl Hein of Arsenal FC looks on against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Karl Hein of Arsenal FC looks on against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Hein has made 11 senior club appearances, only one of which was for Arsenal. The other 10 are split evenly between his loan to Reading and his prior spell at Nomme United.

The 22-year-old has had a lot more luck on the international stage, playing 30 times in senior fixtures for Estonia and making himself their starting goalkeeper in all the big games. But he’ll want to translate that to club football now.