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Arsenal have a “pretty strong” chance of completing a deal for United States goalkeeper Matt Turner, according to New England Revolution coach and sporting director Bruce Arena.
Turner was voted MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021 after helping the Revs to Supporters’ Shield success, though his side fell short in the playoffs with defeat to New York City in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The 27-year-old joined the Revs as a free agent in 2016 after going undrafted and has been a regular for the past four seasons, racking up 97 MLS appearances over that time, including 28 last year when recording five clean sheets.
Arsenal have recently been linked with the USA international, who has been capped 13 times by his country, and Revs chief Arena has confirmed talks are ongoing between the two teams.
However, a transfer is not expected to go through this month, with Arsenal instead expected to wait until the end of the Premier League campaign before bringing in Turner – potentially to replace Bernd Leno, the back-up to Aaron Ramsdale.
“As speculated, there’s a chance we could lose Matt Turner,” Arena told the Sports Hub on 98.5 radio.
“If things work out the right way, we will lose him in the summer. We are in negotiations with Arsenal to complete the transfer. The likelihood of that happening is pretty strong.”
Arsenal will reportedly pay an initial £4.5million ($6m) for Turner in a deal that could rise to £7.5m ($10m) with add-ons, which is the same amount Manchester City agreed to pay Columbus Crew for international rival Zack Steffen in 2019.
The delayed move for Turner may now see Leno stay in place for the remainder of the season.
Should he complete a switch, Turner will become the fifth American to sign for Arsenal after Gedion Zelalem, Danny Karbassiyoon, Frank Simek and Doug Farquhar.
