Report details why Arsenal failed in attempt to sign Newcastle-owned player

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The Athletic has claimed that Arsenal failed in an attempt to sign Newcastle-owned goalkeeper Freddie Woodman this month – before completing a loan deal to bring in Mat Ryan from Brighton until the end of the season.

Woodman, 23, has starred on loan at Swansea for the past two seasons. Clocking up 69 appearances for the Championship side, the England Under-20 World Cup champion has kept an impressive 27 clean sheets.

His performances have not gone unnoticed. Arsenal have been strongly linked with the Toon academy product for some time, and The Athletic claims they made an approach to Newcastle to sign Woodman this month.

However, they failed in that attempt as their interest came after Newcastle’s potential recall clause in his loan deal had expired. It means that Woodman is to remain on loan at Swansea, and Arsenal have instead signed Ryan.

TBR’s view – Arsenal must revisit Woodman interest in summer

If they fail to agree a permanent deal for Ryan. Clearly, Ryan is happy to be at Arsenal even if it means he is to be the club’s second-choice goalkeeper – behind Bernd Leno. Alex Runarsson is expected to be sent on loan.

Australia international Ryan has made it clear he is a boyhood Arsenal fan, so a permanent deal is likely. But Woodman is a top goalkeeper with plenty of experience already – and counts as a homegrown member of the squad.

If a deal for Ryan falls through, Woodman must be signed in the summer.