Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'join Chelsea in race for Brazil international goalkeeper'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 08 April 2024

Arsenal are reportedly contemplating whether to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento in the summer.

Arsenal have reportedly identified Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.

During his opening two years at the Emirates Stadium, Ramsdale was generally regarded as the undisputed number one by Mikel Arteta.

However, that quickly changed after the arrival of David Raya, as the 25-year-old has since made just 11 starts in all competitions during 2023-24.

As a result, speculation is naturally persisting that the England international is eager to secure a transfer away from the North Londoners when business reopens in June.

With two years remaining on his contract, Arsenal could plausibly retain his services for at least another season, albeit while seeing his valuation drop as time runs out on his deal.

Aaron Ramsdale in action for Arsenal on December 12, 2023 © Reuters

Bento viewed as potential alternative

Nevertheless, according to Tuttomercatoweb, the Gunners are contemplating whether Bento is a suitable option to replace Ramsdale.

Up until recently, Bento was primarily known for his performances at Athletico Paranaense, where he has spent his entire professional career.

The 24-year-old has put together a fine record, keeping 52 clean sheets from his 151 appearances in all competitions, and he was able to showcase his ability to a wider audience during the international break.

Bento would make his first two appearances for Brazil, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over England and also featuring in a 3-3 draw versus Spain.

Once Alisson Becker and Ederson have regained full fitness, Bento will again drop down the pecking order, but there is potential for him to become his nation's number one in the future.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on February 21, 2024 © Reuters

Is a transfer realistic?

There are pros and cons involved if Bento moves to Arsenal, with the most obvious of the latter being that he is unlikely to earn any more game time than Ramsdale has been given this season.

On the flip side, a transfer to a club competing for silverware on all fronts could prove appealing, as could signing for a team who have a number of Brazilian players in the squad and Edu as the club's sporting director.

Arsenal would inevitably face competition for his signature, with it previously being reported that Chelsea, Inter Milan and Wolverhampton Wanderers were among the sides monitoring the situation.

Furthermore, for a player who has a contract until December 2026, Athletico Paranense will allegedly demand well in excess of the €15m (£12.9m) that they are said to have already turned down in the past.