Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners make Aaron Ramsdale decision, club urged to sign Ivan Toney, and more - August 20, 2024
Arsenal started the new campaign with a fine 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers over the weekend. Mikel Arteta's team next face Aston Villa on Saturday, August 24, in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have softened their stance on Aaron Ramsdale. Elsewhere, the north London side have been advised to move for Ivan Toney this summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Arsenal transfer news from August 20, 2024.
Arsenal make Aaron Ramsdale decision
Arsenal are willing to let Aaron Ramsdale leave on loan this summer, according to Football Insider. Ramsdale dropped down the pecking order last season following David Raya's loan move to the Emirates from Brentford.
Following an exceptional campaign - where he won the Premier League Golden Glove - Mikel Arteta opted to sign Raya permanently this summer. Ramsdale, as such, is likely to struggle for chances and is expected to be on the move this year.
It was initially believed that the north London side will only entertain a permanent exit. However, they have apparently softened their stance owing to the lack of offers for the 26-year-old.
The Gunners are ready to let him go in a loan deal this summer, but want £6m in loan fees. Nottingham Forest and Southampton are apparently eyeing the Englishman with interest.
Gunners urged to sign Ivan Toney by former player
England legend Gary Lineker has advised Arsenal to secure the services of Ivan Toney this summer. The English striker has entered the final year of his contract with Brentford and hasn't agreed to a new deal yet. He was kept out of the matchday squad last weekend to sort out his future.
The Gunners were looking for a new No. 9 earlier this summer and failed in their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Mikel Arteta has also been linked with moves for Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres as well as Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker added that Toney would be a good fit at the Emirates.
“I like Ivan Toney a lot. I think he’s super talented and gives you something completely different from what else they’ve got. He’s a real threat and technically a really good footballer so I think he would fit in at Arsenal. Once you’re at the stage where a player is left out, the writing does appear to be on the wall,” said Lineker.
Recent reports have suggested that Arteta has ended his striker search this summer.
Arsenal not in talks for Eddie Nketiah exit, says journalist
Arsenal are not in talks to offload Eddie Nketiah at the moment, according to club insider Charles Watts. The Englishman is no longer part of plans at the Emirates and has been put up for sale.
He had initially agreed a deal to join Marseille this summer. However, the Ligue 1 giants failed to reach an agreement with the Gunners for the 25-year-old and the move broke down.
In his column for Caught Offside, Watts stated that Marseille's offer for Nketiah was nowhere close to his price tag.
"We saw what happened with Nketiah and Marseille. Arsenal could have just relented and accepted what was being offered by the French club and had they done so then Nketiah would have agreed to the deal. But Arsenal have a price in mind and Marseille never really got close to that," wrote Watts.
He continued:
“Some will say that was a mistake and the club should have just agreed to the deal and got some money in for a player who will rarely feature if he stays around. But those people are probably the same people who have criticised the club for selling badly over recent years. You can’t just have it both ways."
Watts went on to add that although Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are not in talks to leave, things could change before the end of the summer.
“As far as I’m aware, there’s nothing close now when it comes to either Nketiah or Nelson, but the market always picks up as deadline day approaches so that could change at any moment,” wrote Watts.
Nelson is under contract at the Emirates until 2027.