Charlton Athletic remain active in the transfer market ahead of the start of the League One campaign this weekend and are reportedly on the verge of signing Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein on loan after a deal for Asmir Begovic broke down due to the parties being unable to agree financial terms.
The Addicks have lost key components of their squad with Alfie May and George Dobson leaving for Birmingham City and Wrexham respectively but they have remain in the market for new arrivals ahead of their season opener at Wigan Athletic.
Karl Hein is An Experienced International Despite Limited Club Action
22-year-old goalkeeper Karl Hein has been at Arsenal since he was 18 years old but he has been limited to just one senior start, a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup in 2022. He has not been the first choice at Premier League 2 level for the development squad and requires first-team football to launch his club career.
The Estonia international earned his first cap in 2020 and has gone on to represent his country on 30 occasions, with a highlight being keeping a clean sheet in Wales in 2021 in a World Cup qualification match despite being under heavy pressure from the home side for large periods of the game. The goalkeeper captained his country in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Finland in March.
Karl Hein seems to be highly thought of in his homeland but has struggled to make a breakthrough in the English game, making five starts for Reading during a loan spell in 2022 that was cut short due to injury. Hein kept one clean sheet in that time, a 0-0 draw with Peterborough United.
Charlton Athletic Looking at Hein After Begovic Deal Breaks Down
The Addicks had been heavily linked with a move for former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic but according to London News Online, talks have broken down due to the club and player not being able to agree on personal terms. The same source indicates that Charlton Athletic are set to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Hein.
37-year-old Begovic was first-choice for Queens Park Rangers last season in the Championship and has extensive experience in the Premier League, making over 250 appearances in a highly decorated career at the top level. The former Stoke City goalkeeper played twice during Chelsea’s title-winning campaign in 2016/17.
Current first-choice Ashely Maynard-Brewer failed to impress at Charlton Athletic last season, keeping just two clean sheets in 25 matches before losing his place in the side in the second half of the campaign once Nathan Jones took over as manager. Will Mannion has arrived from Cambridge United but is not likely to be first-choice with Jones actively looking for a first-choice goalkeeper. Harry Isted, who played 21 league matches last season, has joined Burton Albion.
Begovic would have been a safe option but there is potential in Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein and it will be interesting to see if Hein can launch his club career after becoming a regular for his country. Hein signed a new contract with the Gooners this summer and Sporting Director Edu was pleased to tie down the goalkeeper:
“We’re very happy that Karl will continue his development as an Arsenal player.
“He’s an exciting prospect and a popular member of the squad. We look forward to seeing him progress to the next stage of his career.”
David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale remain ahead of the Estonia international in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium so if he can impress on loan this coming season, he may find a temporary move to Charlton Athletic turned into a permanent deal with Arsenal seemingly agreeing on a new contract to protect his market value should a sale follow next summer.