0
0
Wolverhampton Wanderers are allegedly interested in signing English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal in January. The Englishman would like to join the team on loan with a buyout option.
Ramsdale has acquired the support of Gooners over the past two seasons, even though certain members of the Arsenal fan base harshly criticised his arrival in 2021. He was crucial to the team’s surprise title challenge last year.
Ramsdale’s position as the unquestioned number one was jeopardised this summer when the Gunners signed David Raya on loan from Brentford with a £27 million buyout option, as Mikel Arteta was eager to up the competition in every part of the field.
Raya was benched by Ramsdale for the first few weeks of the season, but after the September international break, the Spaniard was elevated to the starting lineup and seems to have solidified his position as Arteta’s first choice.
Ramsdale has thus only made three appearances since Raya’s debut, two of which were in a 3-1 EFL Cup loss to West Ham United and the other against the Brentford man’s parent club, against whom he is not permitted to play.
Ramsdale was extremely lucky not to be penalized for two blunders in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium, but he did keep two clean sheets in back-to-back 1-0 victories over Brentford, including the Premier League match on Saturday.
The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth goalkeeper first dallied on the ball inside his own box, but Declan Rice stopped Bryan Mbeumo’s attempt from crossing the line. Later in the first half, he made an odd pass into the ground.
Following his drop to second choice, Ramsdale’s father recently came out and admitted that his son had “lost his smile” at the Emirates. With Euro 2024 approaching, there are serious talks of his leaving.
The Daily Star claims that Wolves are eager to bring the 25-year-old to Molineux halfway through the season in order to get ready for Jose Sa’s potential departure—the player is reportedly being pursued by the Saudi Pro League.
Although Sa just signed a new, long-term deal in September, it is rumoured that he may go for the Gulf state in January. His terms are set to expire in 2027 with the possibility of an extra year.
As long as the club’s £35 million asking price is satisfied, head coach Gary O’Neil is apparently willing to part ways with Sa. Ramsdale has been identified as Wolves’ main candidate to replace Sa.
Wolves would presumably want to sign an initial loan agreement with Arsenal, given their need to balance the books, before Ramsdale’s move to Molineux is made permanent during the summer transfer window.
According to reports, Wolves officials are optimistic that Ramsdale, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent, could be inclined to return home and that he won’t compete for a spot at Arsenal until he is certain of playing time in the first team.
In 86 games for Arsenal over the last two years, Ramsdale has preserved 32 clean sheets. Like Sa, the 25-year-old signed a new contract with his present team earlier this year.
Ramsdale’s Emirates deal expires in2026, but Arsenal has a 12-month option to extend it, and the England international is also expected to be pursued by Chelsea and Bayern Munich in 2024.
