Arsenal close to completing £30m Aaron Ramsdale transfer

One of the few certainties this summer transfer window was that Arsenal had to buy a new goalkeeper. While there could be ambiguity around other positions, this one was set in stone. It appears as if Aaron Ramsdale is that man.

As supporters fret over whether or not a right-back will arrive or even a new centre-forward, goalkeeper sits alongside creative midfielder in being a position where that can be no mistaking that an arrival has to be made.

Following Mat Ryan’s return to Brighton ans subsequent move to Real Sociedad, despite Arthur Okonkwo being a highly rated prospect he is not ready to play second fiddle in the Premier League and nobody needs reminding that Alex Runarsson isn’t either.

Pursuing a move for Andre Onana all summer, once it became clear that Bernd Leno would not be moving on with not enough interest in his signature or, as far as we’re aware, nobody meeting the Gunners’ asking price, a backup option was sourced.

Arsenal to complete £30m Aaron Ramsdale transfer from Sheffield United after initial £24m fee was agreed to sign goalkeeper in summer window

Arsenal turned their attentions towards signing a young and homegrown option who could come in and not just fill in as No. 2, but also push the German for a starting berth. Given Leno has only two years left on his deal, whoever joins has every chance of becoming the first choice in 12 months’ time.

That man is undoubtedly Aaron Ramsdale. Nonana, it would appear.

These links have been prevalent for a number of weeks and given the checklist Arsenal wrote out for themselves in terms of profile, of the incredibly uninspiring options available it was the Sheffield United stopper who climbed to the top of their list.

Having only joined the Blades in the previous summer window from Bournemouth, the Yorkshire outfit find themselves in a healthy position to garner a good fee, one Arsenal look set to pay.

As per football.london, Arsenal are now in advanced talks to sign the 23-year-old after agreeing an initial upfront fee of £24m that with add-ons could rise to £30m in total.

Two offers had already been rejected by Sheffield United and the strong whiff of inevitability over this move was unshakable. Mikel Arteta and co had sounded out their number one target and weren’t going to be satisfied with anyone else.

On Tuesday night Blades’ boss Slavisa Jokanovic left Ramsdale out of the squad for his side’s Carabao Cup meeting, one that should Ramsdale have been part of would have seen him cup-tied in for Arsenal. Need any more convincing?

Welcome aboard, Ramsdale. It would seem.