BOLTON, ENGLAND: Players of England line up for the national anthem prior to the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Qualifier between England and Luxembourg at Toughsheet Community Stadium on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Arsenal target England u21 for late first-team transfer

Aug 28, 2024

Arsenal are looking at a deal for Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle before deadline day, though Wolves’ Dan Bentley is still an option.

HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND: Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic reacts during the Sky Bet League One match between Wycombe Wanderers and Wigan Athletic at Adams Park on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images)

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle, as they search for a homegrown keeper to join the first-team squad.

The suggestion is that Tickle would become the Gunners’ third-choice goalkeeper, behind David Raya and either Aaron Ramsdale or Ramsdale’s replacement – should the English goalkeeper leave. Joan Garcia is Arsenal’s target for that backup role.

Tickle isn’t the only name on Arsenal’s list for the third-choice spot, with Wolves’ Dan Bentley also still under consideration. The Gunners made a move for Bentley earlier in the window, but the rumours have slowed since that bid was rejected.

WIGAN, ENGLAND: Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at DW Stadium on January 08, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

McNicholas adds that it’s not yet clear whether Tickle would be willing to give up regular football, albeit in League One, to join Arsenal.

The goalkeeper has started all four of Wigan’s matches this season, having played 52 games for the club last season, so he’s got a guaranteed starting role right now.

The 22-year-old kept 18 clean sheets last campaign, and he made it into the England u21 squad, debuting with a clean sheet against Luxembourg in March.

WIGAN, ENGLAND: Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic in action during the Sky Bet League One match between Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town at DW Stadium on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

The goalkeeper has a contract with Wigan until 2028, so Arsenal will have to hope he’s sufficiently keen on the move to push his current club to let him leave that deal early for a reasonable fee.