Arsenal Add World Cup Winner to Goalkeeper Targets

Arsenal have a number of players on their goalkeeper shortlist.

While all the talk centres around the imminent departure of Mesut Ozil to Fenerbahce, as far as Arsenal are concerned the German playmaker moving on is but one of many transfers in and out of the club eyed this January.

Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have made way with others edging closer, although the permanent exit of Matt Macey left a hole in the squad also yet to be filled.

The goalkeeper has moved on to Hibernian in Scotland, with Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo left to wrestle for the third-choice slot at the club. However, with Runar Alex Runarsson made available for a loan move this window, the inexperienced duo can’t be left to play second fiddle and a backup goalkeeper is essential in case of injury.

Bernd Leno will not relinquish his starting role in the side, but competition is needed in all areas and Arsenal are looking at a couple of different profiles to act as his number two. Either an experienced head could come in during the winter on a short-term deal, or someone they feel could take the position long-term may be brought in as the German’s understudy.

As per football.london, one player that is on the Gunners’ list is Under-20 World Cup winner Freddie Woodman, someone who Arsenal have been tracking for a good number of years. The Croydon-born stopper has been linked with a move to north London regularly, having failed to break into the Newcastle first team since his move to Tyneside in 2013.

Spending numerous loan spells away from St James’ Park, he’s found his feet at Swansea City, where he played 43 matches last season as the Swans narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship play-off final.

Such were his displays that another season-long loan was agreed, where he’s played a starring role in leading the club on another promotion push, one which includes boasting the best defensive record in the division with just 13 goals conceded this season.

In a Swansea side who like keeping the ball on the turf, he features in the top ten for Championship goalkeepers for accurate short passes (WhoScored). An English native to boot, thus fitting the homegrown quota, Woodman is the right profile, age and price range that Arsenal should be looking at, whether in January or otherwise.