Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'optimistic' of agreeing new contract with international goalkeeper

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 11 June 2024

Arsenal are reportedly hopeful of agreeing a new contract with third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein, who is due to become a free agent at the end of the month.

Arsenal are reportedly optimistic about their chances of tying one of their international goalkeepers down to a new contract.

Estonia's Karl Hein spent the 2023-24 campaign playing third fiddle to Brentford loanee David Raya and former number one Aaron Ramsdale, failing to make a single senior appearance.

The 22-year-old's only club football came in the shape of four appearances for the Under-21s, and he has played just once for Mikel Arteta's side in last year's 3-1 EFL Cup loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

As things stand, Hein could walk out of the door for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the month, but he was not on the list of Arsenal players confirmed to be leaving as free agents, which included Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares and fellow goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

The Gunners confirmed that contract talks were ongoing with the Estonia international, who is number one for his country despite failing to make the grade at the Emirates so far, earning 30 caps for his nation.

Karl Hein in action for Arsenal Under-21s in January 2021 © Reuters

Hein 'likely to be loaned out' after new deal

While Raya's switch from Brentford is expected to become permanent in the near future, Ramsdale's expected exit could open the door for Hein to become the Spaniard's understudy in 2024-25.

According to the Evening Standard, negotiations over new terms between Hein and Arsenal are progressing well, and there is confidence that an agreement will be struck soon.

The Gunners are supposedly hopeful that Hein will continue to make progress in the years to come, but in spite of Ramsdale's uncertain future, there are no plans for him to be given a run in the first team next year.

Instead, the report adds that Arsenal want to loan Hein out to a lower-division club for the 2024-25 season, and a plethora of Championship clubs are interested in a temporary deal for the Estonia international.

Hein was just 18 years old when he left Estonian outfit Nomme United to join Arsenal in the summer of 2018. and he was on the bench throughout Arsenal's 2023-24 Champions League campaign.

Arsenal at risk of losing prolific young attacker

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on April 9, 2024 © Reuters

While Hein is seemingly happy to stay put in North London for a little while longer, the same perhaps cannot be said for Chido Obi-Martin, who made headlines with his tremendous scoring feats at youth level.

The 16-year-old became a continental sensation when he 10 goals in one game for Arsenal's Under-16s against Liverpool, and he was on target 32 times in the Under-18 Premier League season.

Arsenal have also been discussing a scholarship contract with the Denmark youth international, who cannot sign professional terms until his 17th birthday, but he is free to do so with European teams.

A separate report from the Evening Standard claims that Bayern Munich have been running the rule over Obi-Martin and are pushing to prise him away from Arsenal, who are desperately trying to retain his services.

The 16-year-old, who is with the same agency that represents Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, is expected to make a final call on his future before the end of the month.