The story of Aaron Ramsdale’s career is an interesting one. From two spells at Sheffield United split between a stint at Bournemouth and several loans, Ramsdale signed for Arsenal in 2021 for £ 30 million and became their most expensive goalkeeper.
After an impressive first season between the sticks for the Gunners, Ramsdale was named in the 2022/23 Premier League PFA Team of the Year at the end of his second campaign. It was a year in which he had done little wrong and still had room for improvement.
Mikel Arteta has nevertheless been a difficult manager to please during his time at Arsenal as he oversaw wholesale changes by proving ruthless in offloading unwanted players.
Since moving to the Emirates Stadium, Ramsdale has made 89 appearances in all competitions and kept 32 clean sheets, yet he only played 11 times last season.
Following David Raya’s arrival, the England international spent last season as the Gunners’ Number 2 and an exit has been long expected this summer.
Meanwhile, Arteta’s decision to bring in Raya on loan has been vindicated as the Spaniard won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award. The Spaniard will be looking to recreate his feat from last season and Arsenal tickets will remain in high demand ahead of the new campaign.
Ramsdale, on the other hand, has made no secret of his desire to be a first-choice goalkeeper and the confirmation of Raya’s permanent signing only compounds Ramsdale’s future in North London. Newcastle United were reported to have agreed a deal for the Englishman but talks over his future will be held after EURO 2024.
During England’s Euro campaign, however, Ramsdale has offered an insight into his situation, saying: “No footballer wants to not play. I’ve had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again. But when you come to the national team, when you find your role, when you know your role, which Gareth [Southgate] is very good at speaking to you about, your mentality changes.”
He continued: “It was tough [being on the bench for Arsenal], it was tough. But I have my release now, I’m now here [in the England camp], I’ve got the greatest honour, the greatest badge on my chest. If I play a minute or no minutes, it will be the pinnacle for me, the best day ever.”
The 26-year-old is seemingly set for the exit doors and Arsenal have been linked with Justin Bjilow and Andriy Lunin as they begin the search for a new second-choice ‘keeper. They have also identified Espanyol’s Joan Garcia who is said to be available for just £21m
Elsewhere, Arsenal have contacted Wolverhampton Wanderers over a potential deal for Dan Bentley, who has played nine times since moving to the Molineux from Bristol City in January 2023.
Wolves are reluctant to sell the 30-year-old who they regard as a solid backup to Jose Sa, and would only consider a sale should they receive a significant offer that would afford them a replacement for Bentley.
Pertinently, Bentley was in Arsenal’s youth system for seven years until he moved to Southend United and later on spent three years at Brentford where he was replaced by Raya. This move is written in the stars should all parties be able to find a financial agreement.
A Case for Ramsdale
Despite his reduced game time throughout last season, Arteta has reportedly been impressed by Ramsdale’s attitude behind the scenes on the training ground.
The 26-year-old made his only Premier League appearance of 2024 in a match against Brentford when he was at fault for Yoane Wissa’s opening goal after delaying an attempted clearance. That did not faze him, however, as the team responded with a second-half comeback to win 2–1 with Ramsdale playing his part in atoning for that error.
Arsenal goalkeeping icon, David Seaman, has urged Ramsdale to leave for the good of his career.
“I’ve always said Aaron is too good to be a number two,” Seaman told the Daily Star. “He’s a fantastic player. He needs to play. Wherever that is, I don’t know.
“It’s a weird situation. Ideally, you’d love him to stay because that would be great for the club. But he needs to move for his career. And that includes England because, if he’s not playing, he’ll keep dropping down the pecking order with them.”
His national team career is of utmost importance in this situation and it is pertinent to note that Ramsdale has emerged as one of the most popular members of the current England squad at Euro 2024.
Hence, all roads lead away from the Gunners who value the keeper at £42m which would represent a tidy profit on the former Sheffield United shot-stopper.
Serie A giants AC Milan have been credited with interest in Ramsdale while Chelsea had long been linked with a move until Enzo Maresca was appointed as their new manager and the Italian prefers to work with current goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Newcastle United are long-term admirers of Ramsdale but they have since signed Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, while they are also keen on adding Giorgi Mamardashvili to their ranks.
New Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, was also previously interested in the England keeper but Alisson Becker’s role as a clear starter means Ramsdale would still be regarded as an understudy.
A move to Anfield is rather unlikely given the Reds would also not spend over £40m on a backup goalkeeper.
This leaves the Arsenal man in a bit of a conundrum as the final week of EURO 2024 draws to a close. Previously interested clubs are now moving on and a general lack of interest is concerning as a potential move abroad could still materialize.
Ramsdale will be keen on sorting out his future once he returns from international duty but the growing likelihood is he might have to wait until late in the window to finalize a move elsewhere.
He will then be required to resume preseason training following his summer break as Arsenal is scheduled to travel to the USA where they will play matches against Manchester United and Liverpool.
Having not seen a single minute of action at the European Championships, Ramsdale will be hoping his team can go all the way as a medal may just increase his chances of finding a new club.
Either way, it is sure to be an intriguing summer figuring out where Aaron Ramsdale’s future lies.
