German club Werder Bremen are on the cusp of signing Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein, as per Kicker.
The 23-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan with Real Valladolid, where he made 32 appearances.
Hein is now poised to leave the Gunners permanently, and Bremen look likely to become his next destination.
Arsenal’s head of youth development, Per Mertesacker, is understood to have played a key role in the potential deal.
Bremen have chosen Hein as their new number two, and he will act as a deputy for Mio Backhaus in the new season.
No fee details have been revealed, but The Athletic claim that the Gunners value Hein between £3 million and £5m.
In case of an initial loan, Arsenal will push for an obligation to buy next summer.
Hein set to part ways with the Gunners
Hein joined the Arsenal academy at just 16. Having graduated through the system, he has made just one appearance in the Carabao Cup for the Gunners.
The Estonia international was tipped to become the club’s backup goalkeeper in the past, but manager Mikel Arteta does not believe he is good enough.
Arsenal signed Neto as David Raya’s deputy last campaign after Hein was loaned out. The Gunners have now recruited Kepa Arrizabalaga as a backup for Raya.
With Tommy Setford coming through the ranks, it appears the right time for Arsenal to part ways with Hein, who may want to restart his career elsewhere.
Hein is only viewed as a second-choice keeper by Bremen, but he will be hoping to break into the club’s Bundesliga plans during the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal are set to offload Hein for a nominal fee, but they should include a high sell-on clause to benefit from his progress at Bremen in the long term.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com