Arsenal and Man Utd look to repeat Chelsea's Petrovic trick

Tom Weber

Updated: 13 Mar 2024 20:50 GMT
4 min read

Djordje Petrovic, Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta — © IMAGO

Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, according to reports.

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The Columbus Crew shot-stopper is part of a dying breed in Major League Soccer. In an age where US clubs increasingly rely on their own academies, the 23-year-old was unearthed in the MLS Super Draft in 2022 and has since gone on to become a star in the league.

Very reliable between the sticks as the Crew won MLS Cup in 2023, Schulte has begun attracting European attention, perhaps also helped by the success Djordje Petrovic has enjoyed at Chelsea since replacing Robert Sanchez in Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The Serb was signed from the New England Revolution last summer for an MLS record fee for a goalkeeper of €14m, breaking the previous record - also set by Chelsea - of Gabriel Slonina, who had traded Chicago for London after the 2022 MLS season for €9m.

Zack Steffen and Matt Turner also previously headed to England after impressing in MLS. Schulte could be next in line and he's potentially on his way to Turner's former club.

Arsenal want Columbus Crew and #USMNT goalkeeper Patrick Schulte as an Aaron Ramsdale replacement, according to the Telegraph 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZTiPheKS47
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 13, 2024

Arsenal and Man Utd keen

Early on Wednesday, The Telegraph began reporting that Arsenal had begun looking at the US men's national team keeper as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale. Arsenal want to keep hold of their former number one, but they realise that Ramsdale could head for the exit after being supplanted by David Raya.

Now, journalist Manuel Veth has chimed in, adding that Man Utd and Wolves are also keeping tabs on Schulte, who is expected to command a fee somewhere between the €9m paid for Slonina and the €14m shelled out on Petrovic.

The Red Devils are looking for someone to come in as a backup should Altay Bayindir leave the club after just one season, having only featured once since his €5m summer move. Wolves, meanwhile, could soon be in the market for a new number one.

FootballTransfers exclusively reported in January that Nottingham Forest are keen on Jose Sa because - ironically - the aforementioned Matt Turner has failed to impress at the City Ground.