Arsenal’s goalkeeping transfer options appear to be narrowing with Mat Ryan having joined La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
The Australian stopper spent the second-half of last season with the Gunners on-loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, with previous reports suggesting that Arsenal could potentially pursue a permanent deal.
Despite those suggestions, a move did not come to fruition with Ryan having now elected to return to Spain with Sociedad, penning a two-year deal in the process with the option of a further year.
Whilst missing out on Ryan in itself is indeed not terminal, it leaves the Gunners in an increasingly tricky situation regarding the goalkeeping position. football.london understands that a goalkeeper is high up the agenda this summer.
Alternative target Andre Onana was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium throughout the past month.
The Cameroonian is out of contract at Ajax next summer so would have been available for a knock-down fee.
Since the reports however, talk of Onana in regards to Arsenal have quietened dramatically and he now looks set for a move elsewhere.
The goalkeeper’s agent Albert Botines told Voetbul Primeur that discussions with French giants Lyon were underway.
He said: "Yes, they are interested. The clubs are in talks."
Should the 25-year-old complete a move to France, then this would see the Gunners once again miss out on a major target.
This would certainly have knock-on effects for Edu and his transfer plans, with alternative candidates Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale thought to be commanding considerably higher fees than both Onana and indeed Ryan, who has reportedly completed his move to Sociedad for just £1m.
West Bromwich Albion are thought to be demanding up to £20m for Johnstone, whilst fellow England deputy Ramsdale has a £25m price tag.
A move for either of the two then would see Arsenal’s funds take a considerable hit - an aspect that the club simply cannot afford with a number of positions still requiring investment.
Meanwhile, the future of Bernd Leno complicates the situation even further. football.london understands that Arsenal are open to allowing the German to leave should they receive a deal that meets certain criteria.
His exit would then only exacerbate the need to splash out on a first-team quality goalkeeper as opposed to just finding viable competition.
So, with moves for Onana and Ryan now likely to be off the table, Arsenal’s options in the transfer market are continuing to narrow.
