Report: Premier League club are willing to sell an 'outstanding' talent to Arsenal this summer

During Mikel Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal, he and Edu have shown a real willingness to recruit from their Premier League rivals.

Arsenal famously recruited Kai Havertz from Chelsea last summer, a move followed by the club hand-picking Declan Rice from West Ham United.

That could prove to be an expensive policy for most, but Arsenal have refused to become embroiled in bidding wars, as ready to walk away from a deal as they are to conclude.

Of course, it seems their first summer signing this time around could be joining from the Serie A, Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori.

It remains to be seen if that deal gets over the line, but the signs are positive, and Arsenal may actually sign Calafiori before the end of Tuesday.

If he signs, Calafiori may be intended as an upgrade on Jakub Kiwior, who has been subject to interest from the Serie A all summer.

And whilst it’s still relatively unclear on whether Arsenal would allow Kiwior to leave, Aaron Ramsdale’s departure seems much more certain should he find the right destination. 

The 30-year-old proved his ability in five ‘outstanding’ appearances for Wolves in the Premier League last season, and fits Arsenal’s criteria as a homegrown player who would be willing to play second-fiddle to David Raya.

And as pointed out by Standard Sport, it’s a role that Bentley has played behind Raya at Brentford before.

The report shares that Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana knows Bentley well from his time in west London, and is therefore likely key to any deal.

But more importantly, the information dictates that Wolves would be willing to sell Bentley should an ‘acceptable offer’ be received.

It remains to be seen what that would amount to, but perhaps Wolves would demand more than £5m.

Of course, should any price tag go beyond that point, Arsenal will have to assess if they are achieving value for a goalkeeper who is never realistically going to challenge Raya.

Similarly, should Raya suffer a significant injury – would Arsenal trust Bentley as their number one for a lengthy period?

Although he is likely a more harmonious fit as a number two, there’s no doubt that Bentley would be a significant downgrade on Ramsdale.