Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Newcastle United shot-stopper Freddie Woodman, as Mikel Arteta eyes an overhaul this summer.
According to Chronicle Live, Freddie Woodman is facing an uncertain future at Newcastle United. Currently on loan at Championship side Swansea City, the goalkeeper is not very keen on playing second or third fiddle upon his return to Tyneside in the summer. It could potentially open up an opportunity for other clubs to bag his services either on a loan or even a permanent deal.
Arsenal and Southampton are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Woodman in the summer. It appears the goalkeeper has become a part of Mikel Arteta’s summer overhaul plans, as the Gunners look to offload not only Runar Alex Runarsson but also first-choice stopper Bernd Leno.
A product of the Crystal Palace academy, Woodman has been a part of Newcastle United since 2013. The 24-year-old is highly regarded as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in England and has mustered a lot of experience in English football, thanks to various loan spells over the past five or six years.
The native from London is currently plying his trade at Swansea – a club he joined on loan back in 2019. He was quick to make an impact as well, becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, having notched up almost 100 competitive appearances during his ongoing spell for the Welsh outfit.
Woodman’s performances in goal this season have been particularly critical in helping Swansea City push for promotion. In fact, the 24-year-old has kept a league-high 20 clean sheets and could play a vital role in the promotion play-off final against Brentford.
Arsenal’s interest in Woodman, therefore, is hardly surprising as Arteta looks to sign someone who can at least provide competition to Leno next season. Runarsson has been a massive flop since joining from Dijon last summer, while Mat Ryan is way past his prime and simply not quality enough to become the club’s no. 1 next season, despite being linked with a permanent move to the Emirates.
This is where someone like Woodman could be an ideal option. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has already shown his talents in English football and certainly has the potential to become an asset for any Premier League outfit.
A move to the Emirates, in that regard, makes sense as he can not only directly compete with Leno or any other new goalkeeper, but can also offer the prospect for the future to Arsenal, unlike Ryan.
Arsenal should not face many difficulties in securing the services of Woodman either, as they can always use Joe Willock as leverage to speed up negotiations, given the fact that Newcastle United are keen on signing the midfielder permanently following a successful loan spell at the club.