Arsenal are in advanced talks with Sheffield United over a move for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as per reports in Football London.
The Englishman became the first choice for the Blades after the departure of Dean Henderson. His performances last season were good enough for him to be selected in the England squad for Euro 2020.
According to the report, the Gunners have reached a breakthrough in their discussions with Sheffield. They have been following Ramsdale for several weeks as they prefer him to Andre Onana and there’s also the added bonus of the keeper being homegrown.
The fee that the north Londoners will have to part with is going to be about £30million and there will be an upfront payment of £24million. Arsenal have already had two offers rejected by the Championship club.
Fans have not responded positively to this update with many of them questioning the logic behind selling Martinez and spending big bucks on a player like Ramsdale. Here are some of the best reactions:
Makes zero sense when we sold Martinez for 20m last summer, and sold Willock after his successful loan for 20m last week.
— Drogo (@khaldro53747048) August 11, 2021
We sold Martinez 12 months ago for 20m, he should have been our No1 last year. Edu is clueless
— Lee Miles (@leemiles2510) August 11, 2021
Doesn’t make sense at all
— The incognito (@iam_ntz) August 11, 2021
We sold Willock for 20 million rising to 25 million but Sheffield can sell Ramsdale for 25 million rising to 30? This club is run like a circus.
— Farteta FC (@saadfooball) August 11, 2021
Not a chance on this planet or any other should Arsenal spend close to that on him, no wonder we are where we are, we people making the decisions are a joke
— the AFC Observer (@thefootyobserve) August 11, 2021
Arteta must go! He doesn’t know what he is doing.
Selling Martinez and buying Ramsade! Do you understand this?
He has to go with Edu.— mbonde (@MusaMbonde2) August 11, 2021
Arsenal Fever View
For a long time, it looked like the north Londoners were going to sign Onana from Ajax who would have been much cheaper. But given that the Cameroonian cannot play until November, they have shifted their focus towards the youngster.
Ramsdale is a keeper with a lot of potential, but the fee being quoted is extremely high. This becomes even more of a factor when you consider that the Gunners let go of Emiliano Martinez last season for much less.
But the fact that they are willing to spend so much suggests that they view the Blades shot-stopper as someone who can become the club’s number one. Leno only has two years left on his contract and there is a good chance that he will leave next season.
If that is the case, then Arsenal might be trying to groom their new keeper, but it remains to be seen how they can take care of other areas of the squad, ones that need reinforcements. Ramsdale is an excellent prospect, but the youngster will have an uphill battle to justify his price tag.
Read More: Rio Ferdinand lashes out at Arsenal for Joe Willock transfer decision
