"I’m still 60/40 that he will go permanently" - Journalist claims Arsenal are ready to sell star player this summer
Journalist James Benge believes there's a good chance that Arsenal will sell Aaron Ramsdale in the summer transfer window. The England international, who had become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's team in the past couple of seasons, is now second choice at the Emirates.
Since David Raya's arrival at the Emirates Stadium, the 26-year-old has seen little game time, making just 11 appearances this campaign across competitions. With the Spanish shot-stopper seemingly the first choice for Arteta, it seems reasonable that Ramsdale looks elsewhere for regular game time.
Claiming that there's a 60% chance of the former Bournemouth goalkeeper moving on, Benge told Arsenal Insider (via The Boot Room):
"I think you're right on these four, Ramsdale not generating the money that Arsenal would hope wouldn't shock me but I'm still 60/40 that he will go permanently for a good fee."
Ramsdale joined the Gunners in the summer of 2021 from Sheffield United for a reported fee of €28 million. Overall, he has made 89 appearances across competitions for the north London outfit, managing 32 clean sheets in the process.
His only piece of silverware with his current employers was the club's Community Shield success in the 2023/24 campaign.
Ramsdale has now been rumored to have agreed to a deal with Newcastle United, something that the player has denied. However, a move to St.James' Park could be something that ex-Blades would consider given the current situation.
Jens Lehmann admits he was surprised by Arsenal bringing in David Raya
Many were left puzzled when David Raya came in to replace Aaron Rasmdale in goal, particularly when the latter was performing well under Mikel Arteta.
One of those confused was the former Gunners shot-stopper, Jens Lehmann, who was a part of the legendary invincibles squad in 2003/04. He told Daily Mail (via Metro):
"I never understood the Aaron Ramsdale decision. If you have a good, brave English keeper at a big English club doing well and then you bring in a Spanish guy who has never played for a big club - it just doesn't make sense."
"The keeper is the most important position of the team. If I were Ramsdale, I don't know how I would react because it's not easy at that age. When you're older it's different."
Raya has done well since arriving despite a couple of shaky moments. He's already won the Premier League Golden Glove and has kept 16 clean sheets in 31 English top-flight outings.