Arsenal facing big goalkeeper conundrum in pre-season

Arsenal Still Waiting on Arthur Okonkwo Contract Extension

One of the most promising players in the Gunners academy isn’t an outfield option, but instead is 19-year-old Arthur Okonkwo.

Highly-rated in and around the club, with no senior options other than Runarsson (who may well not be here come July) he is the next in line supporters should be most excited about seeing.

The issue is that his current contract expires on June 30, and disagreements have arisen surrounding the new deal presented to him by Arsenal.

As per AllNigeriaSoccer, who are very clued in with the Arsenal youth, the main stumbling block of the deal is the finances involved. Okonkwo – or his agent – is said to want his new deal to be worth up to £1m-per-year, which amounts to well over £19k-a-week. A fair whack for a 19-year-old goalkeeper.

It would be a crushing blow were no agreement to be found for a stopper who needs to see a pathway into the senior team, and in case of no solution being found then Karl Hein will be the one to join up on the tours.

Already likely to link up with the first team for pre-season training, the Estonian has been battling with Okonkwo for the first-choice academy goalkeeper spot, as well as the the third-choice Europa League place last season.

Dejan Iliev remains in the picture but it doesn’t seem as if his future will be at Arsenal beyond the summer either.

It leaves the options heading into the coming fixtures as Runarsson (potentially) and Hein. An agreement with Okonkwo needs sorting soon.