Arsenal and Wolves work on compromise in transfer talks

Arsenal and Wolves are far apart on their valuations of goalkeeper Dan Bentley as it stands, but the clubs are still working to reach a compromise.

Before The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed Arsenal’s move for Wolves’ Dan Bentley, fellow journalist Alan Nixon had broken the news, and the journalist has a new update on his Patreon page.

Nixon reports that Arsenal and Wolves are well apart on their valuations of Bentley as it stands, with Wolves wanting around £1m for the sale, but the Gunners hoping to complete a deal for a lot less.

Wolves want to bring in enough to fund a replacement, but the two clubs are still working on the move and could still meet in the middle.

Even paying Wolves’ full valuation of £1m wouldn’t be a major outlay for a club like Arsenal, but it’s worth putting the situation in perspective.

Bentley joined Wolves for a nominal fee, reportedly in the region of £50,000, having just six months left on his Bristol City contract at the time. He is now entering the final year of his Wolves deal.

For a 30-year-old backup goalkeeper who only cost £50k, with a year left on his deal and suggestions that Arsenal might plan to use him as a third-choice option, the Gunners evidently believe £1m is a bit much.

Bentley featured five times for Wolves last season, and he’s homegrown, having played for Arsenal as a youth player. He represented the young Gunners between 2001 and 2008, before moving on to progress into senior football with Southend United.

After that, Bentley played for then-Championship sides Brentford and Bristol City, before eventually making the step back up to the Premier League in 2023 by joining Wolves.