Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a move for Wigan Athletic’s goalkeeper Sam Tickle as the summer transfer window approaches its final hours, according to a report by The Athletic.
With Karl Hein recently going out on loan and Aaron Ramsdale potentially on the verge of departing the club, Arsenal are actively searching for another goalkeeper, and Tickle has emerged as a prime candidate.
Sam Tickle’s stock has risen significantly following an outstanding season with Wigan Athletic, where he was named the club’s Player of the Season.
His performances were instrumental in helping Wigan achieve a respectable 12th-place finish in League One, despite the team beginning the season with an eight-point deduction due to financial issues.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper made 52 appearances for Wigan during the season, keeping 18 clean sheets—a statistic that highlights his importance to the team.
Tickle’s excellent form at the club level also earned him recognition on the international stage, where he made his debut for the England under-21 team in March 2024.
In that match, he played a key role in England’s commanding 7-0 victory over Luxembourg in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier, further showcasing his potential.
Arsenal view Tickle as a strong candidate to step in as their third-choice goalkeeper, with the club also considering Espanyol’s Joan Garcia as a possible option to replace Ramsdale as the second-choice keeper.
However, there is some uncertainty about whether Tickle would be willing to move to Arsenal, where he would likely find himself in a backup role, which contrasts with his current status as a regular starter at Wigan.
Arsenal’s pursuit of a goalkeeper has been driven by their desire to strengthen their squad depth and meet the homegrown player quota required by the Premier League.
Tickle’s profile fits Arsenal’s needs not only in terms of his abilities but also because he qualifies as a homegrown player, which is an added advantage for the club.
Earlier in the summer, Arsenal had shown interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ goalkeeper Dan Bentley, but negotiations with the player and his club proved challenging, leading Arsenal to explore other options, including Tickle.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Tickle has been a key figure at Wigan since making his debut for the club in 2021.
His consistent performances in the 2023-2024 season cemented his position as Wigan’s first-choice goalkeeper, which led to the club offering him a new four-year contract in May, tying him to the club until 2028.
Arsenal has been particularly impressed by Tickle’s sharp reflexes, his ability to distribute the ball effectively, and his proficiency in executing long kicks—qualities that would make him a valuable addition to their goalkeeping department.
However, convincing Tickle to make the switch to Arsenal could prove to be a challenging task.
The young goalkeeper has established himself as a key player at Wigan, and a move to Arsenal could potentially see him relegated to a backup role, which may not be appealing to a player who is eager to continue playing regular first-team football.
This dilemma is something Arsenal will need to address if they are to secure his services before the transfer window closes.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the transfer window, Arsenal remains determined to bolster their squad with at least one more goalkeeper, and Tickle’s name remains high on their list of potential targets.
Whether or not they can convince the young shot-stopper to swap Wigan for North London remains to be seen, but his potential move to the Emirates Stadium would undoubtedly strengthen Arsenal’s goalkeeping options heading into the new season.