Arsenal: 5 Aaron Ramsdale transfer alternatives

Most of the Arsenal world breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday evening when a deal for one of the club’s top targets of the summer, their first choice in the goalkeeper department, Aaron Ramsdale, was discovered to be on the brink of collapse.

In dire need of a number two stopper this summer due to Mat Ryan’s departure and the lack of quality and experience in Alex Runarsson and Arthur Okonkwo respectively, securing Bernd Leno’s backup appeared as if it was closing in.

With negotiations to sign Aaron Ramsdale reaching the advanced stages, meetings held with Sheffield United were expected to find an amicable conclusion. However, a late twist in the tale saw the two clubs reach an impasse.

The Blades, who set their stall out at £35m, couldn’t be haggled down to a fee closer to Arsenal’s valuation, who had already seen two bids with a guaranteed fee under £20m knocked back. Belief of an agreement was expected but the Gunners informed the Yorkshire outfit that their demands were too high and they would seek other targets.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Arsenal: 5 Aaron Ramsdale transfer alternatives after talks with Sheffield United collapse over both clubs’ valuation of the goalkeeper

An average goalkeeper statistically, spending around £30m would have constituted a baffling use of resources for someone set only to feature in cup games at most for 12 months. While still young and with room for improvement, the fee should have set the alarm bells ringing.

Fortunately it has, although the question remains why has it taken until a day before the Premier League season kicks off against Brentford for Arsenal to realise that Sheffield United were serious about their valuation?

It’s now all eyes on Leno’s hamstrings as every collision in the box and sprint to cover angles will be met with terrified looks of those crossing their fingers he gets through each minute unscathed.

So who are these ‘other targets’? While Ramsdale was the undisputed first choice, any club in their right mind will have drawn up a contingency list in case of disaster which, in the Gunners’ eyes, this will be.

The clock is ticking.

1. Andre Onana – Ajax

Starting with the fan favourite, it’s also worth starting with the least likely. Indeed, having been the only goalkeeper linked with a move to north London, Andre Onana now appears to be out of the question.

Having made inquiries for the Cameroonian who is still available on an incredible bargain fee, the inability to shift Leno during the summer has seen this move come to a halt. Of a Champions League standard, Onana is not someone who will be content with a number two slot which he may likely have to settle with for most if not all of the season.

Of course, he isn’t available to play from November anyway and Cameroon might want him for AFCON, limiting his time anyway, but this is someone who is the future of goalkeeping and if Arsenal want to elevate their game to the next level they might as well start from the back. Ben White was one such move towards that.

Someone known for his footwork and speed of thought, for the price in question – around £5m – he is the best option on the market even with considering his absence until later in the season.

Yet it would also constitute a serious rethink of transfer policy having worked hard on Ramsdale, someone who suits the criteria the club laid forward. It would be a (welcome) shock if they went back in for Onana.

Best to forget about this one.