Mikel Arteta has reportedly instructed Arsenal to begin talks over a move to sign Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman after failing to agree a deal for Aaron Ramsdale, according to reports.
The Gunners are desperately searching for a goalkeeper to provide backup and also competition to Bernd Leno, with Iceland international Runar Alex Runarsson set to leave the club.
Arteta has also allowed Matt Macey and Dejan Iliev to leave on loan in the transfer window, leaving him with 19-year-old Karl Sein as his reserve stopper.
It was thought that Ramsdale would be Arsenal's prime target to challenge Leno for the No.1 jersey after some mixed performances from the German of late.
Sporting director Edu has been locked in negotiations with the Yorkshire outfit in an attempt to thrash out a deal for England international Ramsdale in the summer transfer window.
But the deal fell apart after Arsenal refused to meet their £30million asking price and Arteta is now focusing on Woodman, who like Ramsdale would qualify as a homegrown player for their Premier League.
Relations between Arsenal and Newcastle are at a respectable level after the two parties agreed a deal for Joe Willock to head to St James’ Park.
That could make the difference in Arsenal getting their man for a reasonable price, although Woodman is expected to play an important role for the Magpies this season.
According to The Newcastle Chronicle, the north London side had discussed including Woodman as part of Willock’s sale.
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The 24-year-old is poised to start in goal after Karl Darlow contracted the coronavirus and Martin Dubravka is out injured.
The Croydon-born stopper, a former England Under-21 international, has played his way into Steve Bruce’s plans after impressing during pre-season and kept a clean sheet against Premier League newcomers Norwich City last time out.
That followed an impressive two-year loan spell with Swansea City in the Championship — and manager Steve Bruce believes he is ready to start in between the sticks against West Ham on Saturday.
“He has put himself in pole position, simply because of the problems we have with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow,” Bruce told reporters.
"So he is in pole position and I thought he did very well.
"He was mature in his performance. You can see he's had two years on loan and played first-team football.
"I am very pleased with him."
It remains to be seen how highly Newcastle value the Englishman and his value could skyrocket if he performs well against West Ham.
But according to fo otball.london, he is rated at around £10m by Newcastle which would make him a more affordable option than Ramsdale.
Arteta has already spent £75m on three signings this summer and handed debuts to Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga in their Premier League opener against Brentford.
Nuno Tavares, a £8.5m arrival from Benfica, made the bench as a new-look Gunners side took to the field at the Brentford Community Stadium.
