Arsenal are ready to part ways with talented 21-year-old goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo this summer as they look to trim down their squad, amid interest from the Football League and across Europe in the youngster.
Okonkwo spent last season on loan with League Two side Crewe Alexandra and then Austrian side Sturm Gratz, appearing a total of 44 times for the two clubs and keeping 16 clean sheets.
He particularly impressed in League Two, saving two penalties and being heralded one of the best goalkeepers in the division before he was recalled in January.
Crewe manager Alex Morris has confirmed that loanee Arthur Okonkwo has been recalled to Arsenal. He also says that Arthur has been the best keeper in League Two this season. #AFCLoanWatch
— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) January 15, 2023
Back with the Arsenal squad, the 21-year-old was left out of the USA tour in a bid to sort out his future, and it has now emerged that the 21-year-old is likely to leave the club permanently this summer.
He appears to have fallen behind Estonia international Karl Hein in the pecking order in north London, and is down to the final year of his contract, which has left the club keen to cash in on him rather than lose him on a free transfer in 12 months time.
As a result, Fabrizio Romano reports that ‘it has been agreed’ the goalkeeper can leave permanently, with the youngster ‘subject of interest from clubs in England and across Europe’.
Nicolas Pepe, Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares are all thought to be available should the right offer come in, while Folarin Balogun is attracting attention from Inter Milan following an excellent season on loan at Stade Des Reims in Ligue 1.
