Arsenal Close to Signing Sheffield United Goalie Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal are on the verge of finalising an agreement with Sheffield United to sign Aaron Ramsdale.
The four-year contract, with an option of a fifth year, is subject to agreeing personal terms and a medical. Ramsdale provides immediate cover and competition for Bernd Leno.
The 23-year-old has been Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s top goalkeeper target throughout the transfer window. Sheffield United initially demanded £40 million for their reigning Player of the Season, but brinkmanship and mediation from agents has seen the price come down considerably.
Arsenal will now pay an initial £24 million, with a possible further £6 million in potential add-ons that are only likely to apply if he becomes Arteta’s established first choice.
As recently as last Wednesday, it appeared any hope of a deal was lost — but Sheffield United returned to the table with revised expectations.
Ramsdale has been left out of Sheffield United’s squad for this evening’s game against West Bromwich Albion as talks accelerated.
Discussions through the weekend and into this week have seen the clubs meet in the middle: Sheffield United ensure they turn a profit on a player they paid around £18 million for last summer. Arsenal, meanwhile, secure a homegrown goalkeeper within their budget, with add-ons that will only be triggered if he is a key part of a successful Arsenal side.
Arsenal are progressing deals for Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard simultaneously, and are hopeful that both could be registered in time to be part of the squad to face Chelsea on Sunday.
