Arsenal exit all but confirmed as Arteta seals first piece of summer business

New England Revolution have confirmed Matt Turner will join Arsenal in the summer.

It emerged last month that the Gunners had an agreement in principle to sign the American keeper.

Reports claimed on Thursday that Mikel Arteta's men had completed all of the necessary paperwork as a move edges closer.

New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena had already confirmed that the stopper was on the verge of joining the north Londoners with Arsenal set to pay £7.5million to secure Turner's services.

Speaking to the Boston Herald, he said: "Obviously, everyone's well aware of Matt Turner with the summer transfer to Arsenal. There's not much more comment on that. If it hasn't been fully executed, it will be."

And now the MLS side have now confirmed that an agreement is in place with Arsenal for the sale of Turner. The 27-year-old will need to pass a medical and get a work permit before it is made official, however.

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In a statement released on their website, the club said: "The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.

"Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022."

The plan is for Turner to become Arsenal's first arrival of the summer with another window of wholesale changes is on the horizon.

The addition should spell the end for Bernd Leno who lost his no.1 spot to Aaron Ramsdale when he arrived from Sheffield United in the summer.

It was a bold decision for Arteta to drop the German who has been one of Arsenal's most consistent performers in the past few years, but the Spaniard has been vindicated as Ramsdale has been a standout this season.

Turner should be a capable back-up to Ramsdale, allowing Arsenal to move on from Leno.

Leno is entering the final year of his contract in the summer which means the Gunners could feasibly get something in return if he departs in the upcoming window.

The German shot-stopper claimed he was in the dark as to why he was dropped by Arteta.

He told Sport Bild in September: "There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance. He is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it's difficult for me."

Inter Milan were reportedly looking at Leno's situation, something which appealed to the 29-year-old so he could be closer to his family, but a deal did not materialise in January.

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