Arsenal are gearing up for the start of the new Premier League season aiming to go one better than the last two campaigns and win their first top-flight crown in 20 years - and appear to be closing in on another goalkeeping reinforcement.
The Gunners have been runners-up to Manchester City for the past two campaigns in a row as Mikel Arteta's side have been the side which have run Pep Guardiola's outfit the closest.
Arteta's squad - aside from those who have and continue to be on international duty at Euro 2024 - have, like many sides, reported back for pre-season training prior to the new campaign.
In fact, Arteta's side have headed out to Marbella in Spain for a pre-season training camp with several first team stars involved, including the likes of Ben White, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
Advert
From there, Arsenal have a pre-season tour in the USA, where they will play against fellow Premier League sides Bournemouth, Liverpool and Manchester United.
As with any season, there have been comings and goings to and from the squad.
Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny have both headed out, with both players departing upon the expiry of their contracts at the end of June.
The Gunners have also made David Raya's loan move from Brentford a permanent one this summer and that could in turn lead to Aaron Ramsdale leaving the club, though he has already denied such claims.
Advert
Tommy Setford has come through the youth team ranks at Dutch giants Ajax and is an England international, having been capped so far up to under-19 level.
The 18-year-old is a transfer target for the Gunners this summer, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming Arsenal have submitted a proposal to Ajax for Setford's signature.
Those claims have been backed up by further reports in the Netherlands that claim Arsenal's offer is £350,000 for the youngster.
Advert
And eagle-eyed Arsenal fans have spotted that Setford follows a member of Arteta's training staff on Instagram, dropping a big hint and fuelling speculation the teenager is eyeing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Setford - whose Ajax deal runs out in the summer of 2025 - follows Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, who has been part of Arteta's coaching team since late 2019.
Arsenal already have Raya and England international Ramsdale in their first-team goalkeeping department and, if the Gunners manage to acquire Setford, they could have part of the next generation of England shot-stoppers on their books.
Topics: Ajax, Arsenal, Transfer News, Transfers, Fan Reactions
John McDougall