ARSENAL keeper Karl Hein is on the verge of joining La Liga side Real Valladolid on loan.
The Spanish club have swooped in late to nab the Gunners No3 after League One Charlton had shown an interest.
Hein, 22, started all three of Arsenal’s pre-season games in the States with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale enjoying an extended break after their Euros antics.
But having signed a new deal in June, it was always the plan for Hein to go out on loan this season for some much-needed first-team experience.
Valladolid are owned by former Brazil striker, Ronaldo, who knows Arsenal’s sporting director Edu from their playing days.
The Estonia international was particularly impressive against Bournemouth in LA last month, saving two penalties in a spot-kick victory over the Cherries after a 1-1 draw.
This will be the second loan spell of Hein’s time at Arsenal after spending six months with Reading during the 2021-22 season.
Questions remain over No2 Ramsdale, who is also looking for more first-team football after being axed as No1 last season in place of Spaniard Raya.
Ramsdale has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Newcastle and Southampton in the past.
But he looks likely to be involved in the Emirates Cup this week as Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday and Lyon on Sunday.
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Mikel Arteta‘s men kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves on August 17.
They follow that up with a trip to Aston Villa, before games against Brighton, Tottenham and Manchester City.
