Sources: Arsenal are submitting increased bid for 30-yr-old

Arsenal are preparing for life without Aaron Ramsdale as they prepare to submit an increased bid to sign Dan Bentley, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Arsenal are targeting a homegrown goalkeeper as a second or third-choice goalkeeper this summer.

Ramsdale’s future remains up in the air after Football Insider previously reported that Ramsdale would not be joining Newcastle United despite links with Eddie Howe.

However, he remains likely to leave the club in search of first-team opportunities.

Wolves rejected an original offer of £50,000 for Bentley, 30, and they are reluctant to agree to his exit amid speculation surrounding Jose Sa’s future at the club.

Arsenal goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana, who was instrumental in the signing of David Raya, is keen for the club to sign Bentley due to their pre-existing relationship.

Arsenal line up increased bid to sign Dan Bentley from Wolves

Bentley spent time in the academy at Arsenal between 2001 and 2008, and has retained contacts within the club who would be keen to see him return.

The signing would also help Arteta’s side meet registration rules both in the Premier League and the Champions League.

Premier League clubs are required to register eight homegrown players in their squad, while the same is true for the Champions League.

Should Ramsdale depart this summer, the need for a homegrown replacement would become even stronger, with Bentley viewed as the ideal target.

However, their initial bid of £50,000 was described as “cheeky”, with Wolves demanding a higher fee to let their second-choice shot-stopper leave.

The 30-year-old joined Wolves from Bristol City in 2023, having previously made 137 appearances for the Robins before he was named as their captain.

Last season, Bentley made eight appearances for Wolves, keeping three clean sheets when called upon in the absence of Sa.

In other news, Arsenal expect to complete the signing of Riccardo Calafiori.

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