Arsenal wonderkid Karl Hein could leave the club for free in the summer of 2022 after talks over a new contract for the highly-rated goalkeeper stalled, according to football.london.
The Gunners have been working on extending the Estonian’s contract to avoid the potential of a free exit next year. But discussions have reached an impasse and stalled, leaving a split in the near future very likely.
Mikel Arteta had rotated Hein in and out of his options as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper last season. It was a role the 19-year-old shared with fellow prospect James Hillson, but is unlikely to occupy next term with Arthur Okonkwo set to be given the role full-time.
Hein is also yet to make his first-team debut having only featured in the senior squad as an unused substitute. Each of his seven appearances in the dugout came in last season’s Europa League, as well, when Arteta named two goalkeepers on the bench.
The Nomme United product had featured five times for the Estonian outfit’s first-string before moving to north London in 2018, and kept two clean sheets. Arsenal later rewarded him with a professional contract in 2019, after proving himself in their U18s.
Hein has also been a consistent fixture of the Gunner’s U23s, and even captained the side against Southampton in March. But his time with Arsenal could be over within the next 12-months unless Hein and Arteta’s side overcome their stalemate.
Arsenal to lose highly-rated potential if Hein leaves
Arsenal will lose a highly-rated prospect if Hein leaves north London at the end of his contract next summer. Football.london have previously described the eight-cap senior international as a wonderkid, who Juventus and Brighton wanted to sign in 2018.
Former U23s boss Steve Bould, under whom he played 21 times, also hailed Hein’s potential back in January. He told the club’s website: “He’s really matured and he looks like a really good keeper in the making.”
But while Hein is arguably his country’s number one, chances to progress have been limited at Arsenal. That is likely why he’s been less than enthusiastic to sign a new contract and will consider his options elsewhere.
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