Arteta can avoid past mistake as Arsenal submit ‘new bid’ for key target, and he’ll benefit two players

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Arsenal have put in another offer for a player who can address a key issue in Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer. 

Arsenal have a busy summer transfer window ahead of them. 

The Gunners have already made David Raya’s move to the Emirates Stadium permanent, after his loan term last season. Meanwhile, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal for Riccardo Calafiori.

There is still a great deal more to do, though. Mikel Arteta is keen on adding a new attacker to his ranks, as Nico Williams remains a target. Signing a central midfielder is also a priority for Arsenal. 

Plenty of outgoings are on the agenda, too. Emile Smith Rowe could leave Arsenal this summer, amid interest from Premier League clubs. There will be other sales made, as well.

On top of that, Arteta still needs to put the finishing touches to his goalkeeping contingent. Raya has been signed, but Aaron Ramsdale could well leave the club, and the Spanish coach is clearly keen to add another option too.

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Arsenal pushing for Dan Bentley transfer deal 

This summer, Arsenal were able to convince Karl Hein to sign a new contract, and have today officially confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old shot-stopper Tommy Setford from Ajax. 

On top of that, Arsenal are still pushing to sign Dan Bentley. According to a report in The Sun (21/07/2024, page 57), the Gunners have put in a “new bid” of £300,000 to sign the 31-year-old away from Wolves.

Whilst the Midlands outfit are holding out for a fee of around £1 million, it is becoming increasingly likely that this deal will get done.

Why Arsenal signing Bentley will help Karl Hein and Tommy Setford

Bentley is an experienced option who would become Arteta’s third-choice back up option between the sticks. Whilst this means that he may well never play for the North London club, this is still an important role within the squad.

In the meantime, having served as the No. 3 last season, Hein would become available to leave the club on loan. The Estonian will be desperate to play week in, week out. The chance to leave the club on loan was likely used as a negotiating tactics by Arsenal in order to convince him to pen a new deal. They must now keep that promise.

On top of that, the same can be said of Setford. The teenager is likely to play for one of the Hale End academy sides this season but he may well get the chance to learn from Bentley, and the elder player’s presence in the squad makes a loan move for Setford an option too.

Younger goalkeepers such as Setford, and particularly Hein at this stage in his career, need game time. Being a third choice is unhelpful for their development, and the arrival of Bentley would negate the need for either of these youngsters to fulfil that role, as Hein unfortunately had to last season.