Aaron Ramsdale transfer appears imminent as Arsenal reportedly agrees to a £25m deal. This comes just a year after the club controversially benched Ramsdale in favor of David Raya.
Ramsdale was included in the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Year when Arsenal made their strongest Premier League title push in 15 years. At that time, he seemed poised to challenge Jordan Pickford for England’s number one spot ahead of Euro 2024.
However, Ramsdale’s fortunes changed quickly when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta decided Raya was a better tactical fit. Raya, who initially joined on loan from Brentford, has since signed a permanent deal with Arsenal.
Now, Ramsdale is set to revive his career. According to The Athletic, Arsenal has agreed to a £25m transfer for Ramsdale, which includes potential add-ons. A medical is the next step, and the move to Southampton is expected to be completed before Friday’s transfer deadline.
In response to the Aaron Ramsdale transfer, Arsenal plans to pursue Joan Garcia from Espanyol as his replacement. The 23-year-old became a starter at Espanyol last season, helping them secure promotion to La Liga. In North London, he would serve as backup to Raya.
For Ramsdale, the move means a return to the south coast. The Stoke-born goalkeeper joined Bournemouth from Sheffield United for £800,000 at 19 and spent over three years with the Cherries. He started regularly during the 2019/20 season before returning to Sheffield United for £18.5m. A year later, Arsenal signed him for a £24m deal, potentially rising to £30m.
At Southampton, veteran goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been reinstated as the first choice this season, following Gavin Bazunu’s long-term Achilles injury. McCarthy had served as a backup since 2022, but with the Aaron Ramsdale transfer, Ramsdale is expected to take over the starting role.
