Matt Turner will be an Arsenal player next season after his initial £4.5m transfer - described by himself as the "worst kept secret ever!" - has finally been made official.
On Monday morning (June 27), months after a deal was agreed with MLS outfit New England Revolution, the USMNT goalkeeper was announced as the Gunners' third confirmed signing of the summer transfer window following deals for Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos and Portugal U21 international Fabio Vieira.
With Turner expected to slot in as Arsenal's number two goalkeeper providing competition for Aaron Ramsdale next season, it means the path has been cleared for Bernd Leno to seal a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer as he seeks regular first-team football.
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Having lost his status as the Gunners' first-choice stopper to Ramsdale last September, his agent, Joannis Koukoutrigas, has already revealed that he will end his four-year stay in North London as he bids to avoid missing out on a place in Germany's World Cup squad in Qatar amid links to newly-promoted Fulham.
"He is a German national goalkeeper, has always performed well at Arsenal and is an absolute team player," Koukoutrigas told German outlet BILD, via the Evening Standard. "For me personally, Bernd is also the clear No.1 at Arsenal. With all due respect to the competitors.
"Fulham is trying hard to get Bernd. Very professionally. This is also true for some other clubs and shows his status. But, as I said, for me he is the No.1 at Arsenal and we are therefore also relaxed."
Although, Leno isn't the only goalkeeper on the books at Arsenal who could be on the move before deadline day. In fact, forgotten stopper Runar Alex Runarsson is not part of Mikel Arteta's plans for next season and will be allowed to leave this summer should the right offer come in.
Meanwhile, Turner's arrival will allow the Gunners to sanction another loan spell for Karl Hein or the first one for Arthur Okonkwo, as only one would be required to operate as the third-choice stopper next season behind Ramsdale and the American.
There's an argument that Hein's need is greater than Okonkwo's as his move to Reading during the second half of last season was cut short because of injury and it would be beneficial for his development if he can get regular game time over the course of an entire campaign, as he's shown he has the temperament for senior football even in his tender years.
Despite not yet making a breakthrough with Arsenal, the 20-year-old is already an established Estonia international and has caught the eye on several occasions over the past nine months. Once against Wales in a World Cup qualifier at the beginning of last season and more recently by saving a penalty in a 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Malta.
Meanwhile, Okonkwo - despite signing a new contract last summer and earning a promotion to the first-team squad - didn't make a single first-team appearance last season, although he did make the substitutes' bench on seven occasions in the Premier League - including both trips to Manchester.
With that said, his shaky pre-season outing against Hibernian last summer was proof that he needs the experience of playing week in, week out and having gone an entire campaign, making just six appearances in total, it could be argued that he needs a loan spell more than Hein to make up for lost time.
Whichever decision is taken remains to be seen as Arteta and Edu have a tough one to make, but as Arsenal have finally announced the signing of Turner, this may be a clear indication that it signals the permanent exit of Leno and Runarsson, as well as a temporary move away for either Hein or Okonkwo.
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