Is Mary Earps to Arsenal off? Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall reveals transfer talks underway with 'ideal candidate' who'll provide short-term goalkeeping cover

With Sabrina D'Angelo set to join her Canadian teammates in February for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Eidevall wants to reinforce the goalkeeping department in the ongoing transfer window. According to Arseblog, former Lyon goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi is in touch with Arsenal about a potential move.

When asked if Arsenal are considering signing a keeper, Eidevall said: "We need to cover for one situation, the Gold Cup in February and March and we have a high likelihood of one of our goalkeepers being selected for that. We can’t predict what the availability is going to be like for the rest of our goalkeepers is going to be like during that period or how long that period is going to be.

"Ideally we will bring someone in to help us through that period and help us manage that risk. That is one thing we need to do."

When further pressed it it was Bouhaddi whom they were talking to, he informed: "Sarah, yes, that would be a player we would prefer to get in. But we need to wait until things are finalised but she could be an ideal candidate to come in with her experience, leadership qualities and qualities as a goalkeeper."

Earps' contract at United is set to expire in the summer. Even after lengthy discussions with the Red Devils about a potential extension, no deal has been agreed, which leaves the door open for the player to walk out as a free agent in the summer. Arsenal are long-term admirers and they allegedly submitted a hefty bid for the keeper in the summer.

Since there are less than six months left in her contract, Earps can initiate talks with any outfit about a pre-agreement and it is believed that their representatives have already opened discussions with PSG and Real Madrid.

Bouhaddi boasts of winning 11 league titles and eight Champions League titles with Lyon. She also has close to 150 international caps with France and was awarded the Best FIFA Goalkeeper award in 2020. She was most recently with Paris Saint-Germain, departing at the end of last season.

Eidevall will rally his troops almost after a month off against Watford on Sunday in the FA Cup before they host Everton on January 20 in the Women's Super League. Meanwhile, Earps will be facing Newcastle United with the Red Devils on the same day in the cup competition.