Arsenal - Bayern Munich
Arsenal - Bayern Munich
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Clubs at the top of the game rarely wait until a key player’s contract is nearing its end before considering what comes next. Goalkeepers who have established themselves as first choice can still prompt internal discussions about long-term options behind them. Those conversations have now turned towards a highly rated teenager currently developing in Germany.
Succession planning has become a regular part of recruitment at elite level, particularly when the existing No.1 has spoken openly about a future desire to experience another league. The modern goalkeeper is expected to contribute with the ball at his feet as well as make saves, which narrows the list of suitable candidates. Arsenal appear to have identified one such prospect who fits that profile.
The player in question is viewed by some as one of the most promising young shot-stoppers to emerge from the Bundesliga system in recent years. His contract situation at his current club is said to create uncertainty, with several sides across Europe monitoring developments. The interest is linked in part to recent public comments from the current first-choice goalkeeper.
Arsenal are always thinking ahead and this time it looks like they’re shifting focus on to what life after David Raya might be like. Despite Raya very much being in his prime as a goalkeeper and Arsenal’s number one, there is always succession planning to think about at big clubs like Arsenal. Now, it looks like that succession planning is taking Arsenal to Germany, as they eye one of Bayern Munich’s most highly-rated youngsters in decades.
David Raya
David Raya
Anyone who keeps a close eye on the German league will know all about the emergence of American-born teenage goalkeeper Leonard Prescott. According to TeamTalk, this is now increasing uncertainty around Prescott’s future at Bayern Munich with the 17-year-old’s contract ticking down this season. Despite being highly rated at Bayern and considered by many a ‘generational’ talent in the sticks, there are question marks over whether he will play games.
That has led other clubs in Europe to cast their eye over Prescott, and Arsenal are among them. Arsenal’s interest is said to come in response to recent comments from David Raya. The Spaniard expressed a desire to try and play in La Liga one day, which has seemingly prompted Arsenal into action. The Gunners could sign Prescott this summer for nothing, albeit a fee would be due at some point due to his age.
The modern goalkeeper very much needs to be able to do it all. Goalkeeping is no longer just about making saves and keeping the ball out of the net. Instead, it’s all about being good on the ball, being able to play passes and effectively, being the man who starts attacks for the team. Naturally, Arsenal fans will want Raya’s replacement to be capable of all that and when we look at comments on Leonard Prescott from his youth coach at Bayern, it’s obvious he fits the bill.
“He’s technically outstanding – you feel like he could play outfield. He’s very courageous in his actions and definitely very advanced for his age,” Peter Gaydarov has said of Prescott previously. It seems, then, that Arsenal have got their eyes on the right man here. Quite whether they can pull the deal off, remains to be seen.
Any move would represent a long-term project rather than an immediate solution between the posts. Raya remains under contract until 2028 and has been central to the side’s recent success. The club will continue to assess options that could eventually step into that role once the current first-choice moves on.