Arsenal completed their second signing of the transfer window on Sunday with the arrival of young goalkeeper Tommy Setford confirmed by the club.
The England youth international joined from Ajax in a deal worth around £1 million. He has been included in the squad for the pre-season tour of the USA, but the plan is for him to be involved in the U21 academy group and to train regularly with the first team.
Setford joins fellow goalkeeper David Raya at the Emirates Stadium. The Spaniard made his loan move from Brentford permanent earlier in the summer, and will continue to be the number one.
Arsenal are also said to be closing in on the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian has agreed personal terms and it is said that Arsenal and Bologna are closing in on an agreement for the player.
There continues to be talks over the future of several other players too. With that in mind, football.london have taken a look at some of the stories doing the rounds over the last 24 hours and given our own thoughts on the situations.
Second bid submitted
Arsenal have submitted a second bid for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley, according to latest reports. The Sun claims that the Gunners saw a first bid of £50,000 knocked back by the Premier League rivals.
They have now reportedly returned with a second £300,000 offer. It is however still below Wolves’ £1 million asking price, although it is stated that a compromise by both clubs may lead to an agreement.
FL says : Uncertainty over Aaron Ramsdale’s future means that Arsenal will have to be in the market for a goalkeeper this season, If they can get someone in to provide competition to David Raya for less than £1 million, then it’s a win-win, even if Ramsdale doesn’t leave.
A potential arrival of Bentley would allow Karl Hein to go out on loan this season, after he put pen-to-paper on a new contract earlier this month. The 22-year-old was the third choice behind Raya and Ramsdale last season, with Bentley possibly taking his place.
Swap deal considered
Arsenal are reportedly considering offering striker Eddie Nketiah as part of a swap deal for defender Marc Guehi. The Sunday Star, via the Express , claim that the England defender is a key target for Mikel Arteta’s team this summer but the club are looking at ways they could get a reduction on Crystal Palace’s £70 million asking price.
It is suggested that Nketiah could be used in a cash plus player deal. The Eagles have previously shown interest in the striker and he could leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.
FL says : Using Nketiah in trying to get a reduction in the Guehi price could be an ideal solution for Arsenal. The striker is one of the players who looks set to move on if the right offer comes in this summer.
So far there has been no concrete talks of a transfer being close. Nketiah is likely to be looking for more game time in the next season, and that is something he may get at Palace, the fact that they have previously shown an interest means that Arsenal could at least ask the question.
Nketiah is probably seen at about £30 million plus for Arsenal. Taking that valuation, it means they could, in theory, get Guehi for £40 million plus Nketiah.
