Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told why his interest in Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is justified.
football.london understands the Iceland international has travelled to London to complete a £1.5m transfer and meet his new teammates at the club's training ground, as first reported by Goal.
With the Gunners in action against West Ham United this afternoon, an imminent announcement is unlikely but one could take place in the next 48-72 hours.
Once a deal is completed, Runarsson will replace Emiliano Martinez as the no.2 to Bernd Leno after the Argentine international sealed a £20m transfer to Aston Villa earlier in the week.
And Arteta delivered an update regarding the club's search for a new goalkeeper in his pre-West Ham United press conference on Friday afternoon.
"Obviously with the departure of Emi, which is a big loss and someone that I think we all wish the best to for what he has done for the football club as well as the person that he is - we have to replace him," he told reporters. "We are looking in the market and I think we will shortly in a position to announce a new signing.
"In football the hours can become days and then something that looks unlikely can happen straight away.
"Depending on what is going to happen with our third goalkeeping position as well because we had some talks about that over the past few months so still the market is open and things can change."
Given what Martinez did in the back end of last season, fans and Arteta will be hopeful that his replacement can be just as impressive in between the sticks.
Luckily, Antoine Gounet - a former French goalkeeper - has delivered his verdict on Runarsson which would suggest the 25-year-old is the perfect signing for Arsenal.
"The GK coach of Arsenal was his GK coach in the past," Gounet said. "He is a good keeper."
Meanwhile, According to The Beautiful Game Podcast, David Raya has made it clear to Brentford manager Tomas Frank that he wants to leave the club and become the Gunners' next major summer signing.
The Telegraph reports that Brentford have knocked back a £10million bid for the keeper, but it is understood they would be more open to selling the 25-year-old and then taking him back on loan for the season.
However, it would appear that Arsenal's preference is Runarsson.
