Arsenal interested in clever transfer that could save millions with January agreement

Arsenal are one of two clubs who are reportedly showing an interest in young Aston Villa goalkeeper Oliwier Zych. The 20-year-old earned a call-up to the senior Poland squad due to his performances for Villa’s development side.

Zych has just over six-months remaining on his current contract at Villa Park, meaning that he will be able to agree a pre-contract with another club when the January window opens. According to , are considering making a move, but also face competition from fellow Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Any team that do sign the goalkeeper on a free transfer would be due to pay a compensation fee, due to his age. That fee would be set by a tribunal, but is usually much lower than any potential transfer fee.

Zych has been included in Villa’s first-team matchday squad on three occasions so far this season, including in the clash against Bayern Munich. He is however yet to make his first-team debut for the club.

He spent last season on loan with Polish side Puszcza Niepolomice where he played 26 times, keeping seven clean sheets. He joined Villa from fellow Polish side Lubin in 2020.

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A move for Zych could see him potentially earmarked as the backup to next season. Arsenal currently have Neto as backup, but he is only on loan from Bournemouth with the club having no obligation or option to buy included in the deal.

The sale of to Southampton in the summer, means that the Gunners could potentially be looking for another backup when the summer window comes around. On effectively what will be a free transfer, Zych could potentially be seen as a long-term and cost-effective option for ’s side, and someone who could possibly take over from Raya in future seasons.