Chelsea face major competition in race for Arsenal star

Cameron Smith

10 Nov 2024 14:00 CST
3 min read

Manchester United have reportedly joined Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein.

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The 22-year-old is currently on loan at La Liga side Real Valladolid and his form has attracted the attention of several top Premier League sides, who are interested in poaching him from Arsenal.

Hein joined Arsenal from Estonian club Nomme United in 2018, but he has only made one first-team appearance for the club - versus Brighton & Hove Albion back in 2022 - and he was sent on loan to Real Valladolid in August to gain valuable senior experience.

He has kept three clean sheets in 12 La Liga games so far this season, and Chelsea and Tottenham are both monitoring his situation closely, as per Fichajes.

In addition, the Spanish outlet have now revealed that Man Utd are also interested in signing Hein as they look to provide competition for first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Altay Bayindir is currently the Red Devils’ number two shot-stopper, however he has only made one appearance since joining the club from Fenerbahce and Hein has emerged as a target ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP.

Arsenal are set to demand a fee of between €20-25 million in order to sell Hein, according to Fichajes, but the Gunners are willing to listen to offers for the Estonia international as they look to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.

Hein’s current contract at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire in 2025, and it remains to be seen if he will extend his stay in north London or push to leave the club on a Bosman deal.

Chelsea’s current goalkeeper situation

Chelsea have signed five different goalkeepers since Clearlake Capital’s arrival in 2022, including Genk wonderkid Mike Penders, who will formally join the club next summer.

Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen are currently competing for the number one shirt at Stamford Bridge, while Djordje Petrovic, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gabriel Slonina and Eddie Beach are out on loan.