Arsenal are closing in on the permanent capture of Brighton & Hove Albion star Mat Ryan, who is expected to cost around £5 million.
A recent report from Football Insider has offered another update in Arsenal’s pursuit of Mat Ryan. It has been established that the Premier League giants are keen on keeping hold of his services beyond this summer when his existing loan contract is set to expire, with the club now ready to pay around £5 million.
An earlier report from the same source suggested that Arsenal wouldn’t have to pay Brighton’s earlier valuation of £10 million for the goalkeeper as Ryan’s contract at the club expires next year. And that may have convinced the Seagulls to settle for just £5 million.
Initially joining Arsenal in a short-term loan deal in January, Ryan has made just two competitive appearances for the club so far, including the latest 1-1 draw with Fulham – a game that saw number one goalkeeper Bernd Leno being dropped to the bench, perhaps in light of the German’s inconsistent performances in the Premier League this season.
In addition, Ryan is apparently performing well in training, which was confirmed by Mikel Arteta himself, shortly after Arsenal’s draw with Fulham.
“And there are others who deserve to play, for example, Mat. He trains like a beast, he has been really positive around the place and he deserves a chance as well,” said the Spaniard, when asked about the changes.
Arteta’s desire to integrate Mat Ryan into his first-team plans is indicative of how highly the Australian international is being regarded at Emirates. The former Valencia custodian has already moved ahead of Runar Alex Runarsson in the pecking order, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he can continue to play over Leno during the remainder of the campaign.
Either way, the 29-year-old is almost certain to become Arsenal’s number two next season – an ideal replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who was let go in favour of Leno last summer – a move that hasn’t worked out quite for the north London giants so far this season.
And for a fee of just £5 million, Arsenal will be hoping that Ryan can prove to be the cost-effective addition who could either overtake Leno or push the German to up his game in the new season.
We need world class goal keepers please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!