Arsenal transfer news could spell trouble for Swansea City or Sheffield Wednesday: View | OneFootball

Arsenal have declared an interest in Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele, and it could have ramifications for two Championship clubs if a deal goes through.

Both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City have had goalkeepers on loan from Roberto De Zerbi's outfit throughout the 2023/24 season, and if Steele departs, then one of them may be required to step up for their parent club.

It was revealed by journalist Alan Nixon that both sides were keen to keep their goalkeepers on for another term, so the Gunners acting on their interest would likely come as a blow to at least one of the clubs.

Carl Rushworth and James Beadle have impressed at Swansea and Wednesday respectively, so both clubs will be keen to avoid another goalkeeper search this summer if they can avoid it.

Arsenal show interest in Steele

The Standard revealed that Arsenal may be interested in bringing the 33-year-old in at the Emirates, with Aaron Ramsdale likely to depart after being unseated this season by Brentford loanee David Raya, who is expected to make his switch permanent this summer.

Although Raya has played more football this season for the Gunners, Arteta did initially make the point that he is open to treating the position more like an outfield place, where he would be unafraid to swap between his glovemen.

It has not quite played out that way, with Raya making 30 league appearances to Ramsdale's six, but if Arteta is genuine about his desire to have more flexibility between the sticks, then Steele is the ideal candidate. He has been sharing the role throughout this season with Bart Verbruggen at Brighton, so he is likely to understand more than most how rotating goalkeepers work.

That will, of course, leave the Seagulls a goalkeeper short, which is an ominous sign for the Swans and the Owls, both of whom have had a Brighton goalkeeper on loan that they want to keep hold of for another season.

Swansea most at risk of losing their shot-stopper

Swans boss Luke Williams has already made clear his doubts that Rushworth returns to the Swansea.com Stadium next season.

"I think it's going to be difficult for us to get him back here,"Williams told the BBC last month. "I think it's likely that he will be playing in the big league or he will be in the shake-up for that. That's what I anticipate."

The 22-year-old is the most senior of the two loan goalkeepers, with far more first-team experience under his belt than Beadle, so it would be assumed he is the most likely to step up if De Zerbi wants to continue his rotation tactic into next season.

Swansea wanting to keep hold of Rushworth is of little surprise; he was their Player of the Season and appeared 46 times, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process, but that suggests he may be ready for the next step in his career, and a gap at his parent club could be about to open up.

Wednesday may still be nervous about their prospects

With even less time to impress, having joined Danny Rohl's side in January, Beadle has made a similar impression at Hillsborough and the Yorkshire club are just as keen to keep him on.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, pundit and former Owls man Carlton Palmer said of Beadle: "He has been absolutely outstanding has the 'keeper. I was there to watch him against West Bromwich Albion where he made a lot of stunning saves.

"The 19-year-old is going to be a very good player, without a doubt. He's tall, although he's not filled out yet. But when he does fill out he's going to be strong. He's very athletic and good with his feet too. So it's an absolute no-brainer."

Due to his age and Rushworth's superior experience, it seems more likely that Brighton will be content with getting Beadle back out on loan to gain further first-team minutes.

However, the Owls will not relax and feel it is a done deal. It would only take Brighton to revert to the more traditional setup of having one primary goalkeeper, and suddenly Beadle may be more appealing to bring back in as he may be more accepting of his secondary position than Rushworth due to experience.

There is nothing to suggest that is the case right now, but Wednesday will be wary of any scenario like that and will want to get a deal over the line as quickly as possible.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops should Steele depart, but it is certain that both Swansea and Wednesday will have a keen eye on Steele's movement this summer, as it could make or break their upcoming campaigns.