Arsenal’s third Aaron Ramsdale transfer bid too crazy to consider

Arsenal Interested in Marcus Bettinelli on Free Transfer

A free transfer! Let us not waste any more time and instead dive head first into this one. Arsenal can’t say no!

The desperation to sign a homegrown goalkeeper has left the club in a position where out-of-contract Marcus Bettinelli is being considered as an option this summer. This story comes from the Daily Mail and is leading on Aston Villa facing competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for the former Cottager, so could just be a case of putting two and two together. Naturally.

Spending last season on loan at Middlesbrough, Bettinelli was called up to the England squad in 2018 after some fine displays for Fulham before relegation halted those aspirations. Alphonse Areola was signed last summer to rule out his chances of another crack at the Premier League and with his contract now expired he’s free for another move.

None of which is especially enticing to Arsenal. A good goalkeeper without being a great one, Arteta would essentially be bringing in a stop-gap since he won’t be challenging for the starting berth nor would he be in line for the throne later down the line.

While age profile is important, for a third of what Ramsdale costs it just seems bizarre that Sam Johnstone isn’t being considered. He’s the better goalkeeper for starters and you can’t scoff at £10m or so.

Ramsdale has the age on him, but when looking across the options and preferring a 28-year-old who just got relegated with West Brom over settling for a £32m player – should Arsenal meet the Blades’ demands as they appear willing to do – says enough about Ramsdale as a signing.