By Milcah Tanimu
Reports suggest that United States youth international Adam Beaudry is set to undergo a training stint with Premier League leaders Arsenal, amid rumors surrounding the potential departure of Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo from the Emirates Stadium.
According to Tom Bogert, an insider for Major League Soccer and the United States men’s national soccer team with The Athletic, Colorado Rapids have granted permission for Beaudry to travel to England for training with Arsenal, sidelining him from Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash against FC Cincinnati.
Beaudry, who recently turned eighteen, is reportedly attracting interest from foreign clubs, prompting his opportunity with Arsenal.
Arsenal youth insider Jeorge Bird has hinted at changes within the Arsenal academy goalkeeping setup, suggesting that a third-choice goalkeeper might be necessary for the first team if Estonian international Karl Hein is loaned out next season and Okonkwo seeks a new challenge elsewhere.
Okonkwo, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, has spent the entire 2023-2024 season on loan at Wrexham, contributing to their promotion to League One. The 22-year-old has impressed during his loan spell, recording sixteen clean sheets in 39 appearances across all competitions and earning a place in the League Two Team of the Season, highlighting his status as one of the division’s top goalkeepers.
While Wrexham is eager to secure Okonkwo on a permanent basis, they face competition from clubs in the Premier League and Championship.
Although Okonkwo has been with Arsenal since his schoolboy days and received ten call-ups to the first team, he has yet to make his senior debut for the Gunners.