The Athletic has explained why Arsenal could not sign Newcastle United-owned Swansea City goalkeeper Freddie Woodman in the January transfer window.
The Gunners recently secured the services of Australia International goalkeeper Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Athletic has claimed that Arsenal also looked into the possibility of bringing in Woodman, but their interest ‘ultimately came too late’.
For the transfer to have happened, Newcastle would have needed to recall the 23-year-old from the Swans and then send him to the Emirates Stadium.
The report has claimed that the Magpies’ recall clause for the youngster expired early this month.
Could a summer transfer be possible?
Ryan is on loan at Arsenal until the end of the season. The Gunners would then evaluate the situation, and perhaps they could move for Woodman in the summer of 2021.
The 23-year-old – described by his former Kilmarnock coach Billy Thomson as “a talented boy” in The Glasgow Evening Times in July 2020 – is doing well at Swansea, who are aiming to clinch promotion back to the Premier League.
Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow are the two main goalkeepers at Newcastle, who may not have any need for Woodman next season and beyond and could be open to offers for him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
