In a recent report, The Athletic stated that Arsenal have agreed on a deal to land Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford this summer. It has been claimed that the Gunners have signed the English keeper on an initial four-year contract.
Setford’s Impressive Rise In Dutch Football
Setford came through the youth ranks of Ajax and has done well to establish himself as an important member of their Under-18 team. The 18-year-old conceded 34 goals but kept 14 clean sheets in 33 matches for Ajax’s U-18 side so far across all fronts.
The talented teenager has caught the eye at times with his performances in Dutch football. However, he has still not made a senior team appearance for the Dutch club. His current contract at Ajax will run out at the end of next season. Therefore, it makes sense for the Gunners to sign him on a cut-price deal this summer as he would be a great asset for them in the long run.
Mikel Arteta could be the ideal man to oversee Setford’s development and get the best out of him at the North London club in the coming years. However, he is still quite raw and would need time to prove his worth in English football.
Arsenal Agree On A Deal To Land Setford: Is He A Prospect For The Future?
Setford can be a safe pair of hands in between the sticks when he is playing well on the field. He is a solid handler of the ball and can make some solid saves at the back. However, as mentioned earlier, the English teenager is still quite inexperienced at the highest level and would need time to break into Arsenal‘s first team.
Still, there is no denying that Setford is a prospect to watch out for in the future. Therefore, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would be wise to go all out to get him on board in this summer transfer period.
At 18, Setford has got a bright future ahead of him which makes him an ideal choice for the Gunners to consider in the long run. He has the potential to be an ideal understudy to David Raya in a few years’ time.
