Wigan Athletic’s goalkeeper Sam Tickle turned down an opportunity to join Premier League giants Arsenal on the deadline day according to The Sun. The 22-year-old, who has been a standout performer for Wigan, opted to remain with his current club rather than become a third-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal.
Arsenal’s need for a new goalkeeper arose after Aaron Ramsdale’s departure to Southampton. The Gunners were keen to secure a home-grown talent to provide depth behind their new first-choice keeper, David Raya, and recent signing Neto. Tickle, who kept 18 clean sheets in 52 appearances for Wigan last season, was identified as a prime candidate.
Despite the allure of joining a top Premier League club, Tickle decided against the move. Reports suggest that the young goalkeeper was not interested in spending time on the bench and preferred to continue his development as a first-choice keeper in League One. This decision highlights Tickle’s ambition and commitment to gaining regular playing time, which he believes is crucial for his growth and career progression.
Arsenal’s transfer window was otherwise busy, with the club securing several key signings, including Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, and Raheem Sterling. However, the failure to land Tickle as a backup goalkeeper was a notable setback. The Gunners had also explored other options, such as Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Daniel Bentley, but were unable to finalize deals.
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