Arsenal smart to target Freddie Woodman summer deal

Arsenal and their to-do list is so extensive in the upcoming summer transfer window that realistically the primary areas of focus need tending so as not to muddy the waters. With what Arsenal have, the goalkeeping department isn’t at the top of the list.

While this rebuild will see wholesale changes, nobody can expect Arsenal to kick off the 2021/22 season with a perfect squad. It just won’t happen. Even in a healthy market with financial backing and an experienced recruitment teams – three elements that are not in place – no club can successfully build their squad in a few short months.

What Mikel Arteta is looking to sculpt at Arsenal will take time, thus prioritising certain departments, those in most dire need of mending, is key. As is, that will be midfield and the full-back departments. After that, the work required elsewhere can be seen to.

Yet if there are opportunities presented to Edu and co that can help them construct the team then they mustn’t be passed up on. With an upgrade on Bernd Leno something Arsenal can explore perhaps further down the line, there is still uncertainty over their backup option.

Arsenal smart to target Freddie Woodman deal in summer transfer window from Newcastle

Mat Ryan has impressed since his loan from Brighton and the outpouring of love for him from the team and how he’s settled hint strongly towards another spell at his boyhood club. However, looking to the long-term, a younger option in that department would constitute smart business.

As it is, Freddie Woodman, someone Arsenal have tracked for a while, is coming up to the end of his second loan stint at Swansea and The Chronicle state the Gunners are vying with Southampton for his signature.

His parent club Newcastle have Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka as their two stoppers, and while the Magpies would like to keep him, Woodman does not want to play second or third fiddle.

Arsenal can’t guarantee him a starting berth but with the way he’s playing and the regular improvements to his game, there is scope for usurping Leno further down the line, especially as the German has two years left on his deal and has expressed a willingness to move away.

Moving to Arsenal would be an upgrade on his current position, even if it feels dirty to say so after last season. Equally, his dad was Head of Goalkeeping at the Gunners up until March 2021 before joining Bromley as their new manager, so there are ties there.

Woodman has two years left on his Newcastle deal and wouldn’t break the bank given his lack of Premier League minutes. However, if Arsenal push then we can confidently assume Steve Bruce would try to find a way to haggle down Joe Willock’s price.

At 24 years old, homegrown, strong with his feet, commanding in his box and proactive with his reading of the game, this would be smart business from Arsenal. Their interest is reassuring as these are the types of signings needed to reshape the years to come.