Arsenal hopeful over new goalkeeper deal as talks continue with 'next Saka' Amario Cozier-Duberry
Arsenal are growing in confidence that goalkeeper Karl Hein will sign a new contract.
The Estonian international’s current deal is due to expire at the end of this month, but Arsenal want him to stay and are in talks to make it happen.
Discussions are progressing well and there is optimism that Hein will put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The 22-year-old will likely head out on loan if he signs a new contract, with several Championship clubs monitoring his situation.
Hein spent last season as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale and needs more minutes to continue his development, having previously spent time in the EFL with Reading.
Despite being only 22, he is already a regular for Estonia and the coaching staff at Arsenal believe he will continue to improve.
As well as Hein, the Gunners are also still in contract talks with young winger Amario Cozier-Duberry.
The 19-year-old has entered the final month of his current Gunners deal and is being tracked by several clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal want to keep the winger, who was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for April, and have held talks, but they face competition from clubs all over Europe.
Cozier-Duberry played a vital role in the club’s run to the FA Youth Cup final last season and Arsenal’s Under-18s manager Jack Wilshere has compared him to Bukayo Saka.
“Amario is very exciting and Mikel [Arteta] likes him,” Wilshere told The Athletic last year. “He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, plays in the same position as him, needs to get better with his decision-making like Bukayo did, but he’s definitely exciting.
“In some moments he’s unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen. You can set up a team and have a game plan, but when you’ve got individuals like that you’ve got a chance.”
Fellow youngster Reuell Walters is also out of contract, but the current expectation is that he will leave Arsenal this summer.
The 19-year-old defender was on the bench several times last season, but did not make his senior debut under Arteta.
