Arsenal are working hard behind the scenes to get a deal over the line for Aaron Ramsdale, with the player himself trying to force through a move.
According to reliable journalist Alan Nixon, Aaron Ramsdale is eager to get the transfer to Arsenal done this summer and is pushing hard to make the move happen as he wants to be playing in the Premier League next season.
The Gunners have already shown their interest in the Englishman and already had two bids placed previously, but they both fell short of Sheffield’s expectations. Going by the latest reports in The Star, Arsenal are set to lodge a fresh ‘decisive’ bid for Ramsdale as they certainly believe that this improved offer would be enough to get the player out of Sheffield’s clutches.
The offer is expected to be in the region of £28 million, and though it is well short of the Blades’ £40m asking price – which they believe is non-negotiable – the Gunners’ are open to proposing a combination of different variables to meet Sheffield United’s valuation and understand that Ramsdale’s desire to leave Bramall Lane would shift the bargaining power into their hands.
The English goalkeeper has been identified as Arsenal’s top target as they seek a capable back-up to Bernd Leno, but they believe that Ramsdale has all the makings to succeed him as their No.1 shot-stopper, with the German set to enter the final year of his contract next summer.
Ramsdale was named as Bournemouth player of the season 2019-20, and he again won the award the following year with Sheffield United that is despite the fact that he was always in the bottom two for conceding most goals in both the campaign. His career so far has been plagued with relegations and poor luck.
Ramsdale is a fine budding goalkeeper who has a lot of top-level experience considering he is only 23. Last season, he kept five clean sheets, made 145 saves, the 2nd highest among the Premier league keepers and had a shot saving percentage of 70.7%, which ranks him the 10th best in EPL. He got called up for England’s Euro 2020 squad as an emergency replacement for Dean Henderson.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Ramsdale has left the fanbase perplexed as to why their club is investing so much on a goalkeeper who has multiple relegations in his CV and was relegated with Sheffield United the last term, especially when there are other outfield areas that need to be strengthened. What now remains to be seen is whether the Gunners can seal the deal for their main target or will move to any other alternative.