Arsenal lining up surprise move for Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles
Arsenal have emerged as surprise candidates to sign Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles this summer.
The Gunners currently have David Raya as their first-choice goalkeeper with Aaron Ramsdale acting as his deputy.
Ramsdale has only made six starts since late September and his future with the club is currently uncertain.
The 25-year-old is likely to consider a new challenge next term which could pave the way for a replacement.
According to journalist Alonso Rivero, the Gunners are in the picture to sign Valles from Las Palmas.
The Spaniard was the subject of a €20m bid from an English club back in December, but it was turned down.
It appears there is now fresh interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Real Betis to sign the shot-stopper.
Valles would be an ideal deputy for David Raya
The 26-year-old is a strong ball-playing goalkeeper.
He has completed an impressive 39 passes per league game this term with an accuracy of 79 per cent.
Valles has also excelled with his sweeper-keeper duties. He has averaged one successful run-out per outing.
Aside from this, the Spaniard has completed 6.5 long balls on average while saving 74 per cent of his shots.
These are very impressive statistics and we are not surprised that Arsenal are looking at the option of signing him.
Ramsdale has been good for Arsenal over the past few years, but it is quite clear that distribution is not his strength.
He should still secure a good transfer fee for the club and part of it could go into the purchase of Valles.
Las Palmas previously turned down €20m from an unnamed English side (most likely Nottingham Forest).
The La Liga outfit could demand a higher transfer fee come the end of the campaign.
Stats from Sofascore.com
