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 22yo now set to join La Liga club on loan

Aug 7, 2024

Speculation on Karl Hein’s future has taken a turn, with the young Arsenal goalkeeper now expected to join La Liga side Real Valladolid.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Karl Hein of Arsenal FC looks on during the first half against AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

On Tuesday morning, reports broke that talks over a loan for Karl Hein were heading towards a conclusion, with League One side Charlton Athletic leading the race ahead of Barnsley.

Yet later that same day, the transfer saga took a new direction, with Richard Cawley of LondonNewsOnline reporting that Hein is now set to make a move to La Liga side Real Valladolid instead.

Cawley wrote that Hein had looked set to join Charlton for the season, but it seems that’s now off the table.

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)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Hein is indeed set to leave Arsenal on loan for the season, and his salary will be covered by Valladolid until his return next summer.

With all due respect to Charlton, the loan to Valladolid is a much more exciting one if they can guarantee Hein minutes.

The opportunity to play in one of Europe’s top-five leagues against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona will allow Hein to really test himself, and to prepare himself for Premier League football.

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)

Valladolid do already have two goalkeepers in Andre Ferreira and Alvaro Aceves, but the two shot-stoppers have only made one competitive appearance for the club combined.

Ferreira joined Valladolid in January, spending the first half of the year on loan before signing permanently in the summer. He didn’t play a single game during his loan spell.

As for Aceves, the 21-year-old made one substitute appearance for Valladolid in 2022/23, and he spent last season on loan with CD Eldense in the Spanish second tier.

The starting goalkeeper spot is clearly up for grabs, and it’s up to Hein to seize the opportunity.