Turkish side Alanyaspor are reportedly close to signing Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson hours after the Gunners announced the permanent sale of Lucas Torreira to Galatasaray.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Icelandic international is set to complete a loan move for the Turkish Super Lig side this week with Runarsson ready to sign for Alanyaspor for the season, with the keeper set to become the latest senior player to leave Arsenal this window.
The Gunners announced on Monday that Torreira had signed for Galatasaray in a deal worth a reported £5m, with Bernd Leno also leaving Arsenal this month as the Germany international joined Fulham in a permanent transfer, with Runarsson now close to becoming an Alanyaspor player for the season.
As per the report, Alanyaspor are eyeing a new starting keeper for the campaign, and Runarsson’s ‘formidable’ performances last season for Belgian side OH Leuven have drawn the Turkish side to the Arsenal keeper, who Mike Arteta is eager to offload.
Whilst a permanent sale would have been preferred, loaning out one of the club’s lowest-paid players is a good step for Arsenal, with this move having the potential to drive Runarsson’s price tag up next summer should the Icelandic star impress for Alanyaspor this season.
Moreover, with Arsenal also working on offloading Hector Bellerin, Nicolas Pepe and Pablo Mari on permanent deals, loaning out Runarsson for the season to Alanyaspor could be a good move for all parties involved, especially of the goalkeeper impresses in Turkey.
Runarsson joined Arsenal in 2020 in one of the cheapest deals the Gunners have made in a very long time, yet in signing for Alanyaspor on loan, the north London side have the potential to make a huge profit on the 26-year-old next year should the Nordic keeper impress in Turkey.
After all, playing in a top division can attract many suitors to Runarsson, and if the shot-stopper becomes a regular for Alanyaspor, Arsenal could find themselves with a player who could make them some serious cash next summer if everything goes according to plan.
