Arsenal have reportedly taken an interest in Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle as Aaron Ramsdale prepares to complete a permanent move to Southampton.
After spending one season as David Raya's deputy, Ramsdale is on the cusp of ending his North London stint, as the Gunners have agreed a £25m deal with Russell Martin's side for the England international.
Arsenal are supposedly set to receive an initial £18m for Ramsdale, with another £7m in performance-related add-ons, and the 26-year-old is expected to undergo his medical with the Saints on Thursday.
Ramsdale will become the third senior goalkeeper to leave Arsenal either temporarily or on loan this summer, as Karl Hein has joined Real Valladolid on a temporary basis, while Arthur Okonkwo left on a free transfer for Wrexham.
As a result, Mikel Arteta would have to pluck players from the youth academy - such as Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard, both of whom joined earlier in the transfer window - to serve as Raya's backups without another summer addition.
Arsenal 'want to sign home-grown goalkeeper' ahead of Ramsdale exit
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According to The Athletic, the Gunners are now pursuing a home-grown goalkeeper for the remainder of the transfer window, and they are 'exploring' a deal for Wigan shot-stopper Tickle.
The 22-year-old has come through the Latics' academy ranks and established himself as their first-choice goalkeeper last year, playing in all 46 League One matches and keeping 15 clean sheets.
Tickle already has one shut-out to show from his first three third-tier outings of the 2024-25 season, and he signed a new long-term deal back in May, which does not expire until the summer of 2028.
The 6ft 2in goalkeeper caught the eye of current England interim boss Lee Carsley earlier this year, as he made his debut for the Under-21 national team in a 7-0 thrashing of Luxembourg in March.
However, the report adds that it is unclear whether Tickle would be prepared to give up guaranteed first-team football to sit on the bench at Arsenal, who have other goalkeeping options in mind.
What other goalkeepers are Arsenal targeting?
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Tickle is thought to be one of two home-grown shot-stoppers on Arsenal's wishlist, the other being Wolverhampton Wanderers' Daniel Bentley, whom they have already failed to sign with a reported bid of £50,000.
The Gunners are believed to retain an interest in the 31-year-old, who was in Arsenal's academy ranks from 2001 to 2008 but never made his senior breakthrough in North London.
Neither man is said to be Arsenal's prime option when it comes to securing a Ramsdale replacement, though; that honour belongs to Espanyol goalkeeper and Spanish Olympic gold medallist Joan Garcia.
Personal terms have reportedly already been agreed with the 23-year-old, but The Mirror reports that Arsenal may have to fork out the entirety of his £21m release clause to complete a transfer before Friday's deadline.
Ben Knapton
