Arsenal had something of a quiet summer transfer window with the Gunners making just two major signings.
Riccardo Calafiori joined the north London side last month with Mikel Arteta’s side announcing the arrival of Mikel Merino this week, with Arsenal having until Friday to conclude their business this summer for the new season.
With Eddie Nketiah set to join Crystal Palace and Aaron Ramsdale inching towards an exit, Arsenal could have some funds left in the transfer budget to make another signing, with Nico Williams slowly emerging as a target for the Gunners.
Yet Arsenal now seem to be exploring a deal for an England youth international.
Arsenal interested in Wigan Athletic talent Sam Tickle
According to the Athletic, Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign 22-year-old Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle, who is regarded by many as one of the most exciting prospects in League One.
Noted as a goalkeeper with a ‘monsterous’ kick as per the Athletic, Tickle is part of England’s youth set-up having featured for Lee Carsley’s U-21 side earlier this year, the first Wigan player to play for the Three Lions at that level since Leighton Baines.
Winning Wigan’s Player of the Season award last term after making 50 appearances in all competitions, there’s good reason why Arsenal are interested in signing Tickle with the goalkeeping position once again under the microscope for the Gunners.
Yet with Tickle likely to become Arsenal’s third-choice keeper if the youngster does agree a move to north London, such a decision could actually be the wrong one for the Wigan talent.
Tickle might be better off staying at Wigan this summer
At 22-years-old, Tickle is incredibly young by goalkeeping standards to be a regular for a club as big as Wigan, with the England youth international getting consistent minutes in a division known for helping youngsters develop.
Which is why the goalkeeper might be better off staying with the Latics this summer than moving to Arsenal, where Tickle realistically might not play a single minute if he becomes the new third-choice shot-stopper.
Indeed, Tickle is a top prospect and a player who could one day make it to the Premier League if his development continues on its current path, yet a move to Arsenal to sit on the bench this season might be a poor move from the Wigan youngster.