According to Mirror, Aaron Ramsdale is set to cost £30m for Arsenal. The update comes just a day after it was revealed that the Sheffield United goalkeeper is the club’s top target in the goalkeeping position as they look to move on from Bernd Leno. Ramsdale’s current contract at Sheffield expires in 2024, with the Blades persistent on their valuation, despite being relegated from the Premier League.
Aaron Ramsdale’s Successful Season At Sheffield United
Formerly of Bournemouth, Aaron Ramsdale joined Sheffield United last summer for a fee of €20 million. He was brought in as a direct replacement for Dean Henderson, who returned to Manchester United following the end of his loan spell.
Therefore, hopes were high on Ramsdale, who had previously featured in 37 competitive appearances for the Cherries before making the move to Yorkshire. The Englishman didn’t disappoint either, becoming one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disastrous campaign for Sheffield United as they finished bottom of the league table.
In 38 league matches, Ramsdale conceded 63 goals while keeping just five clean sheets. They might not seem particularly eye-catching, but the 23-year-old’s tally of 145 saves was only bettered by West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.
Ramsdale had a marginally better save percentage (70.7%) than the former Man United starlet (70.6%) while he was also much more efficient with his punches and claims, making him one of the best performing goalkeepers in the Premier League last term.
Is Ramsdale A Good Bet For Arsenal?
English goalkeepers have enjoyed a lot of success in the Premier League recently, with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone, Dean Henderson making quite a noise with their performances. Arsenal should jump on the bandwagon by securing the services of Aaron Ramsdale this summer.
The Sheffield United custodian may not have the same experience as their current number one in Bernd Leno, but he has shown a lot of potential in recent years. He is also not as error-prone, while his towering 1.91m frame makes him an imposing presence inside the box, especially from set-pieces.
Ramsdale can cover a large area in goal as well. His save percentage of 70% is thus indicative of his reflexes and coverage in between the sticks, making him an ideal long-term replacement for Leno.
However, a fee of £30 million might be a bit too steep for Arsenal’s liking. Although they can certainly afford the Englishman, it would perhaps be wiser to fund the move by offloading Leno permanently while trying to lower Sheffield’s asking price negotiations.
Stat courtesy: FBRef
