Arsenal are set to travel to the USA for their pre-season tour, but they are currently lacking in available goalkeepers for the trip.
Both David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale were on the benches as Spain beat England in the final of Euro 2024, and both players are expected to return to action after Arsenal return from tour.
This leaves Karl Hein, who is expected to go out on loan, as the main option, with academy signing Lucas Nygaard also in contention.
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford, and they now hope to complete this deal with the USA tour in mind.
Arsenal want to complete Tommy Setford deal before USA tour
The Standard have now reported that Arsenal want the deal to sign Setford from Ajax completed so that he can join the squad on tour.
“Arsenal are finalising a move for Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford, with the plan for him to play a part in their tour to the USA,” they revealed.
“His move to Arsenal is understood to be in the final stages and the hope is its wrapped up so he can be part of the club’s tour to the USA.”
Setford, 18, is set to join for just under £1m, and will reunite with academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who he played with for England youth sides.
Tommy Setford could become Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper
Arsenal had a bid rejected for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley, who was set to become the third-choice option with Hein going out on loan.
Bentley was targeted with pre-season in mind, but Arsenal did not follow up their interest. Although he is young, Setford could have been signed with the idea of giving him chances in pre-season, and if he impressed, he could then step in when required as the third-choice option.
If Setford can join the side for the upcoming friendlies, it will be interested to see him in action. Despite his inexperience, he is highly rated, and Ajax did not want to let him leave.
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