Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be set for a swift return to the Premier League, with West Ham United reportedly in advanced talks to sign the 27-year-old following Southampton’s relegation.
Ramsdale joined the Saints from Arsenal last summer after losing his starting place to David Raya. Despite delivering several strong individual performances, he was unable to help Southampton avoid the drop, as they finished bottom of the table with just 12 points.
However, according totalkSPORT, West Ham are now looking to secure Ramsdale’s signature in a deal that could be worth £20 million. The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper following the departure of veteran shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski, another former Arsenal man, whose contract has expired.
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Ramsdale’s potential arrival could see him leapfrog Alphonse Areola in the pecking order, with the Frenchman enduring a challenging 2024/25 campaign. A move to the London Stadium would also see Ramsdale face his former Arsenal teammates at least twice next season.
Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal, meanwhile, stand to benefit financially from the deal thanks to a sell-on clause included when Ramsdale moved to Southampton. The Gunners are also in search of a new goalkeeper themselves, with Brazilian veteran Neto returning to Bournemouth after a loan spell in North London.
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Espanyol’s Joan Garcia had emerged as a prime target for Mikel Arteta, but the 24-year-old is now closing in on a move to Barcelona. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that a five-year deal is in the works, with the Catalan giants expected to activate his £21 million (€25m) release clause imminently.
With Garcia now likely off the market, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta will need to explore alternative options. Raya remains the club’s undisputed number one, which could complicate the search for a suitable back-up willing to play a secondary role.
If no senior reinforcement arrives before the transfer window closes, academy products Jack Porter, Tommy Setford, or Karl Hein — whose contract expires at the end of the month — could be promoted to a more prominent role in the first-team squad.
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