Arsenal’s worrying Aaron Ramsdale contact over summer transfer

Arsenal are in need of one, possible two, new goalkeepers this summer window and having set out their preferred profile, the options available have been seemingly whittled down to Aaron Ramsdale.

As money prepares to leave the Arsenal bank account – or wherever it’s been found, borrowed or stolen from – the excitement levels have begun to rise. £50m on a position that isn’t as important as elsewhere? That must mean some money is getting spent this summer!

Perhaps it will, and in any case a few of those quid will have to go on a goalkeeper. It seemed for all the world as if Andre Onana would be that man following multiple reports in England on his future, but that case has gone cold.

The Athletic report a u-turn on that front that Onana now may see out the final year of his contract with Ajax, which was the least likely option of all, and then leave for free in the following summer a more lucrative deal.

https://twitter.com/AaronRamsdale98/status/1408190766040629254

Arsenal’s worrying Aaron Ramsdale contact over summer transfer makes very little sense in the goalkeeping department, especially as a backup

Arsenal haven’t fully turned the page on that deal though and depending on Bernd Leno’s future may need two stoppers this window. Alex Runarsson is set to leave in some capacity, too.

Which has brought them to Aaron Ramsdale.

There were early murmurs of interest in the Sheffield United goalkeeper from some questionable sources, but any concerns over legitimacy have been tempered with Arsenal’s interest real and contact being initiated, as mentioned in the above report.

Making it clear this summer that Arsenal do not want to make another stop-gap signing, the desire for a young, homegrown goalkeeper with room to develop and potential to fetch a fee further down the line has sadly limited their possibilities.

Apart from Ramsdale it’s slim pickings in regards to high quality goalkeepers of that profile, with the number one target David Raya no longer a viable option.

Ramsdale, currently away with England at the European Championships, is nonetheless a surprise option. Coming off the back of two back-to-back relegations from the Premier League, if you’re looking at Arsenal to raise the level and improve upon what is already at the club, he doesn’t exactly inspire.

In terms of price it’s said Arsenal would be keen on a £20m deal, although other sources have stated that the Blades value him at much higher and closer to £35m.

Are Arsenal making the right move here? Well…..

Continued….