Arsenal are planning a surprise purchase for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
The Gunners are looking to sign a new goalkeeper just days after signing David Raya on a permanent basis from Brentford.
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With Aaron Ramsdale already at the Emirates as a substitute, Mikel Arteta is interested in an English third-choice.
Many clubs have implemented the same policy, including Manchester United with Tom Heaton, Manchester City with Scott Carson and Chelsea with Marcus Bettinelli.
It helps the clubs to meet their quotas for homegrown players and also has an experienced goalkeeper on hand who acts as a coach and provides them with advice and support.
Arsenal and Wolves have held talks over Bentley, but The Pitch Prospect believes there is a valuation gap between the two clubs.
Bentley only joined the Molineux team in January 2023 from Bristol City, where he played as a replacement for Jose Sa.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is a big fan of the 30-year-old, even though he has only played five times in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, O’Neil values his impact off the pitch greatly, having already witnessed the departure of captain Max Kilman to West Ham this summer.
Bentley made his Premier League debut for Wolves against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to the Gunners in December 2023.
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The Basildon-born goalkeeper started at Arsenal at the age of eight before being released seven years later in 2008.
He signed for Southend, where he became the club’s number 1 between the sticks in 2013 and went on to make 160 appearances.
Brentford snapped up Bentley in 2016, where he played as goalkeeper for the Bees in the Championship for three seasons before moving to Bristol City in 2019.
After three and a half years at Ashton Gate, he moved to Wolves, where he made a total of seven appearances.