ARSENAL goalkeeper Alex Runarsson is reportedly on the verge of signing for Antalyaspor.
The 27-year-old is unlikely to feature in Mikel Arteta’s squad this season.
Runarsson is set to leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes
New boy Matt Turner, who arrived in a £5.75million transfer from New England Revolution in June, has muscled in as back-up to first choice keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
As a result, Runarsson has not been considered in the club’s plans for the upcoming season, so he is set to depart before the transfer window closes next month.
According to The Evening Standard, Antalyaspor have been in talks with Arsenal over a potential loan deal.
However, The Gunners are eager to move him on permanently.
Football journalist Mark Mann-Bryans has claimed that a permanent transfer to the Super Lig could be on the cards, which would be Arteta’s preferred deal.
Runarsson joined Arsenal in 2020 as a replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who transferred to Aston Villa after an eight-year stint in North London.
He made six appearances during his first season for the club, but he fell down the pecking order when Ramsdale arrived in 2021.
Last summer, he was sent out on a season-long loan to Belgian side OH Leuven, where he kept two clean sheets in 20 appearances.
The Iceland international is now set to be moved on again due to the growing competition between the sticks at Arsenal.
Former first-choice keeper Bernd Leno joined Fulham in an £8m transfer last week.
Arteta currently has Ramsdale, Turner and 20-year-old Karl Hein at his disposal, while Arthur Okonkwo is out on loan at Crewe Alexandra to gain more experience.
