The future of Arsenal youngster Arthur Okonkwo will be on Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar's agenda this summer.
The goalkeeper, who earned a first-team promotion ahead of the 2021/22 season after signing a new contract, sees his deal at the Emirates Stadium expire in just under 12 months' time, therefore a decision has to be made one way or another before deadline day in September.
For the Gunners to receive a fee, ideally they would have to cash in on the 21-year-old during the summer transfer window, but if he's seen by Arteta and the coaching staff as a long-term competitor to Aaron Ramsdale in between the sticks then a contract extension could be in the pipeline.
Now, according to Goal, interest in Okonkwo is high following an impressive 2022/23 season which included two separate loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz. During his time with the latter, he won the Austrian Cup and kept six clean sheets in 19 appearances across all competitions.
So having left quite an impression, it's no surprise that Sturm Graz director Andreas Schicker has confirmed his side are in talks with Arsenal over a second loan, but has also revealed his side face competition from some unnamed clubs in England for the goalkeeper's signature.
"We are still in the running for another loan, but there are also inquiries for him on the English market," said Schicker, as per Austrian news site Laola1. "The tendency for goalkeepers is also young and capable of development."
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Shock Mbappe move, Rice breakthrough, £36m Timber agreement
If Arsenal were to agree a deal with Sturm Graz then Okonkwo would become the second member of the 2023/24 loan army after Catalin Cirjan's move to Rapid Bucharest was confirmed last week with the talented attacking midfielder returning to his homeland of Romania for regular first-team football.
Having said that, the Gunners could look to extend Okonkwo's deal before sending him out on loan once again. This would be done to protect his valuation - which according to some sources is around the £1.7million mark - and avoid the possibility of losing him for free next summer.
Alternatively, a permanent transfer could be the best option for all parties. After all, with Ramsdale and Matt Turner ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment, not to mention Karl Hein being installed as the third-choice option, it might be that Okonkwo's pathway to the top is away from Arsenal.
Who should Arsenal keep or sell this summer? Have your say below!
