According to The Athletic, Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley by tabling an opening bid for the 30-year-old.
While the Molineux outfit rejected the offer, it's expected that the Gunners will push for the player as they are keen to include him in their squad for the upcoming tour of the USA.
As things stand, Karl Hein is the only senior keeper available for pre-season training when it officially starts on Monday and even he was on the brink of leaving the club as a free agent until he penned new terms. The Estonia international is expected to leave the club on loan later in the transfer window with Bentley lined up to take his place.
Arsenal have already completed the signing of David Raya on a permanent deal and are expected to source a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale should the England international make it clear he doesn't want to spend another season on the bench. Espanyol's Joan Garcia and Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin have been identified as options. The youth ranks have been bolstered by Lucas Nygaard.
Arsenal make opening offer for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley. Proposal immediately turned down - well below #WWFC valuation of important squad member. #AFC targeting 30yo Englishman as 3rd choice to strengthen ranks in pre-season & beyond @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/PvuT4sgpxn
- David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 10, 2024
As well as being on Arsenal's books for seven years as a youngster, Bentley has close ties with both Arsenal's first team goalkeeper coach, Inaki Cana, and his assistant, Terry Mason. He crossed paths with the former during a stint at Brentford and the latter at Southend.
While Bentley's asking price is currently unclear, given he signed for Wolves on a free contract 18 months ago and has only played a handful of games in the Premier League, you have to assume it will not break the bank.
Elsewhere, reports surfaced last night that Lazio are interested in signing Nuno Tavares. It's claimed by Gianluca Di Marzio that the Serie A outfit could stretch to EUR7 million, slightly below what Arsenal want. The Portuguese left-back said this week that he's aiming to give his best when pre-season training starts at London Colney but he accepts his future at the Emirates isn't really in his hands.