Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson is set to return to the north London club next season despite a successful loan spell in Belgium with OH Leuven.
According to HLN, the Jupiler Pro League side don’t have the finances to sign the Icelandic international on a permanent deal despite fellow goalkeeper Rafa Romo leaving Leuven this summer at the end of his contract.
Runarsson only joined Arsenal in 2020 following the departure of Emi Martinez to Aston Villa. However, the 26-year-old was quickly determined by both coaches at the Gunners and supporters to not be of the level needed to play for the Premier League side.
Moreover, with Aaron Ramsdale asserting himself as the Arsenal number one this season and USA international Matt Turner set to replace Bernd Leno as competition for the England superstar, there is essentially no room for the former Dijon shot-stopper in the Gunners squad.
Indeed, with Runarsson stating in an interview last year following his loan move to OH Leuven that he ‘100%’ wanted to leave Arsenal, there’s a strong chance that Mikel Arteta will accept a small bid for the goalkeeper this summer.
With Arsenal signing Runarsson for a tiny fee two years ago and Turner set to replace Leno as Ramsdale’s back-up in a season where the Gunners could compete in Europe, selling the Icelandic keeper is the best outcome for all parties.
Arsenal can afford to sell Runarsson at a cut-price transfer fee
Runarsson’s transfer to Arsenal in 2020 looked to be an extremely shrewd piece of business for the Gunners. Yet the keeper has failed to live up to the expectations since arriving in England, and a permanent departure from the Premier League could be best for all involved.
With Arsenal signing Runarsson for a small price, the north London side will not be criticised by supporters if they offload the Iceland international for cheap, especially with more established names set to depart the Emirates this summer.
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