Three goalkeepers Arsenal could sign after Dan Bentley bid rejected, including former Hale Ender

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Arsenal have had a formal offer for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley rejected, as they look to add a third-choice option to the squad.

David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are the two main options at Arsenal, but whilst Ramsdale is expected to leave the club, it is believed that this deal is independent of his future.

Mikel Arteta wants to add a third-choice goalkeeper, and send young talent Karl Hein out on loan. Bentley is seen as an option given that he is a backup at Wolves, has former allegiances to Arsenal, and impressed at the Emirates as a substitute in a 2-1 Arsenal victory over Wolves last season.

Arsenal have now seen a £50k bid rejected, with Wolves set to hold out for more, and given that there is little desire to spend big on a backup goalkeeper, there are perhaps three other options Arteta could turn to.

A third-choice goalkeeper needs to be happy to play a backup role, cheap, and ideally homegrown. This means that high-profile free agents such as David De Gea and Keylor Navas are unlikely to be considered.

Arsenal could turn to former Hale End star James Shea

Luton Town backup goalkeeper James Shea came through the academy at Arsenal, and was part of a side alongside Jack Wilshere which won the FA Youth Cup in 2009.

He spent most of his career in the lower leagues, and played a backup role for Luton in the Premier League last season.

The 33-year-old has one year left on his deal, and Shea recently praised Albert Sambi Lokonga, who spent the season on loan with Shea at Luton from Arsenal.

If Arsenal make an offer for Shea, Luton may not stand in his way, and he could return to the club as a homegrown backup option, 14 years after he left.

Former Arsene Wenger target Karl Darlow could be available

In 2014, Arsene Wenger was looking for a backup goalkeeper, as Lukasz Fabianski departed after helping Arsenal win the FA Cup.

Nottingham Forest rising star Karl Darlow was eyed up, but the then 23-year-old moved to Newcastle.

Darlow made 100 appearances for Newcastle before joining Leeds last year, where he has featured just four times, and with his future up the air, he could be available at a low cost.

If Darlow is willing to continue in a backup role, the 33-year-old could be a homegrown option with more Premier League experience than Bentley.

Former Arteta target Freddie Woodman could be useful backup

Before Arsenal signed Ramsdale in 2021, they were linked with Newcastle prospect Freddie Woodman. The Englishman then saw his stock fall, and he since spent time at Swansea and Bournemouth, before moving to Preston.

Woodman started 44 games in the Championship last season, making him an integral player, but with one year left on his deal, it remains to be seen what kind of offer could be too good to turn down.

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At 27, Woodman would represent a homegrown option with the potential to improve, and he could even step into the role of second choice if necessary. However, if he wants to play regularly, then he is unlikely to accept a surprise move to the Emirates.