Charlton Athletic in talks to sign 30-cap international from Arsenal
Charlton Athletic in talks to sign 30-cap international from Arsenal
Charlton Athletic is considering taking Karl Hein on loan from Arsenal in order to prepare for the upcoming season by finding a new goalkeeper.
Journalist Richard Cawley of the South London Press reports that the Addicks are planning a temporary relocation for the imposing Estonian stopper.
Since acquiring Will Mannion from Cambridge United on a free transfer in June, the Addicks have been searching for a new goalkeeper. Their hunt was heightened when Harry Isted left for divisional rivals Burtob Albion, and it now seems that Hein might be the player they need.
After leaving Queens Park Rangers at the end of the previous season, former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was in talks with the League One team. However, the agreement has now fallen through since the financial details could not be worked out.
Hein may be headed for his second loan move away from The Emirates Stadium. Hein joined Arsenal in 2018 from his local side, Nomme United, following a brief stint in the Championship with Reading in 2022.
The fact that Hein extended his contract with the Gunners in June suggests that they think highly of him as a player who may stay in North London for the long run.
The 6ft 4in player, who made his only senior debut for Arsenal in an EFL Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, will be hoping that a successful loan next season will provide him with the platform to advance and play more for the team in the years to follow.
Given that a number of Arsenal players, notably Francis Coquelin, Alex Song, and Stephy Mavididi, obtained experience at The Valley prior to their careers taking off, Charlton may be the best option for the goalkeeper.
Emmanuel Frimpong, Yaya Sanogo, and Krystian Bielik are just a few more players that Arsenal has loaned to Charlton over the years, demonstrating the good relationship that has developed between the two teams.
Nathan Jones had previously said that until a player was “head and shoulders” above the players he currently had in the building, he would not sign a player on loan this summer.
The 51-year-old’s apparent desire to bring Hein in on loan raises the possibility that the Estonian international will significantly expand Charlton’s alternatives in goal.
Without a doubt, Charlon needed a new goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closed, and Jones will be pleased if a deal for Hein can be finalized with the players he can choose from in that area.
When it was revealed that Jones intended to reorganize Charlton’s goalkeeping staff this summer, it came as no surprise.
Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Harry Isted shared goalkeeping duties for the Addicks last season, as they only managed to keep five clean sheets in 46 League One games.
This summer, Isted joined League One team Burton Albion, and Maynard-Brewer is probably now lower in the hierarchy as a result of Mannion’s acquisition and the possible arrival of Hein.
Charlton needs to strengthen their defense if they want to build on their disappointing 16th place finish in the third division from the previous season. Jones is hoping that the club’s efforts to sign Hein from Arsenal will help his team be more resolute at the back in the upcoming campaign.
There’s also a case to be made for Hein, who will only get better with matchday experience, as opposed to Begovic, who, at 37, is nearing the conclusion of his career despite having a ton of top flight experience.
Although the Bosnian still performed admirably for QPR in the previous campaign, it would probably be wiser to take a chance on a stopper with a lot of potential, whom they could sign on a permanent basis the following summer should they get promoted to the second division of English football.
