Arsenal make surprise £10m goalkeeper transfer bid

Arsenal have been hot on the market for a striker and a midfielder this month, with two names dominating the headlines this January transfer window.

Offers of some kind have been made for both Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo, with both deals somewhat at an impasse. In Vlahovic’s case he isn’t overly keen, while for Arthur it’s a move dependent on Juventus signing a replacement.

Djed Spence’s name has also cropped up with Arsenal looking to make additions for the summer, as any deal for the Middlesbrough right-back wouldn’t see him link up until the end of the season.

But goalkeeper? While it’s one position that the Gunners will eventually need to fill with Bernd Leno not set to stick around too much longer, with priorities thought to be elsewhere the latest information comes as a surprise.

Arsenal make surprise £10m transfer bid for goalkeeper Matt Turner of New England Revolution while Newcastle eye Bernd Leno loan

Not only is Arsenal bidding for a goalkeeper surprising, the truth is that few outside of MLS will have heard much about the man in question.

As per ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, and since added to by Tom Bogert as well as UK-based sources, Arsenal have lodged a bid worth around £7m, that will rise to around £10m with add-ons, for New England Revolution and USMNT stopper Matt Turner.

The 27-year-old comes across as a very left-field option, although given his age it might be that the Gunners are after a slightly more senior keeper to account for Leno’s inevitable departure.

Turner made the New England Revolution squad as an undrafted free agent and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club since.

Interestingly, these links emerge around the same time that 90min report Newcastle’s interest in Bernd Leno. The report states that Eddie Howe’s side would like to bring the German in on loan until the end of the season that includes an obligation to buy if they avoid relegation, although there are concerns within the club that allowing Leno to leave would leave them short.

Number one Martin Dubravka is currently nursing a toe injury and Eddie Howe is keen to strengthen with an experience shot stopper who can help them stave off relegation.

No transfer window should ever be underestimated and the multiple sources across the US beyond the ones mentioned point to Arsenal being serious about getting business done this window.

A 29-year-old out and a 27-year-old in? At the very least, and what seems more likely, is that Turner may be heading to the Premier League. Arsenal are keen to get this wrapped up before the deadline in what would be career-changing for Turner.

The bid, or at least incoming one, that Arsenal are said to have lodged is one that the ‘Revs’ might find hard to turn down. There shouldn’t be any issue getting this wrapped up.