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“Arsenal are pushing” – Boss confirms Arsenal are in talks to sign £24m star

By on August 17, 2021

Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed Aaron Ramsdale wants to join Arsenal after talks resumed over a potential £24m deal for the goalkeeper.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a new keeper to support Bernd Leno this season after Mat Ryan left following the end of his loan spell. Alex Runarsson is clearly not up to the job and we only have a couple of youngsters to call upon if anything happens to Leno.

Ramsdale has been widely touted as Arsenal’s first choice target but negotiations with Sheffield United appeared to have collapsed after unsuccessful face-to-face talks last week. During those talks, Arsenal made it clear the Blades would have to reduce their £35m plus add-ons asking price if a deal was to be done, according to The Athletic.

At the time, it looked like Sheffield United would stand their ground but The Athletic are one of several media outlets reporting today that the move is back ON after the Championship club returned to the negotiating table and made it clear to Arsenal they’ll now do business at £24m.

There could be some add-ons included in any potential deal but the report says there is now increased confidence that an agreement will be found after renewed talks between the two clubs.

Ramsdale is reportedly keen to make the move to north London and has informed Sheffield United of his desire to leave, so that’s probably played a key role in the Blades lowering their demands.

Jokanovic confirms talks

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic has also said that Ramsdale is keen to play in the Premier League again and confirmed that Arsenal are ‘pushing’ to get a deal agreed for the goalkeeper.

Bernd-Leno-arsenal

Speaking to the media about Ramsdale’s proposed move to Arsenal on Tuesday, Jokanovic is quoted by the Examiner as saying:

“Naturally he wants to be a Premier League player. I am talking with him, he believes it can be a good move for himself, but it is not a bad thing for him if he stays with us.

“He is a talented English player and I understand Arsenal are interested, but this is the business. If he is one of the best players in the league, his price is really high and in the end the decision can be with Arsenal if they want him or not. If they want him they need to spend a lot of money.

“I will be disappointed if he leaves the club but it’s part of the realistic situation. Arsenal is pushing from one side and I am pulling from a different side.

So it looks like Arsenal could now be closing in on a deal for Ramsdale and I must admit I’m still dubious about this move. The 23-year-old will probably aim to be No.1 in a year or two but he’ll be back-up to Leno this season and I really don’t see the need for us to be spending £24m on a back-up goalkeeper when we have so many other areas of the first team that need strengthened.

We desperately need a creative midfielder, a right-back [if Bellerin is sold] and a striker [if Laca or Auba are sold] and this money should be going towards filling those positions that will immediately strengthen the first team.

We can sign a cheaper No.2 goalkeeper [Neto?, Onana?] and put the rest of the money to better use. I also have my doubts about whether Ramsdale is good enough as he’s never convinced when I’ve seen him play.

Let’s hope things work out as Arsenal really cannot afford another big-money deal to turn out to be a waste of money.