Arsenal have pulled the plug on signing Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer after falling to agree a fee with his Championship side, per football.london.
Technical Director Edu had targeted Ramsdale as the Gunners sought to add a homegrown option between the sticks. Head coach Mikel Arteta wants a first-team standard alternative to Bernd Leno, rather than relying on 2020 signing Alex Runarsson.
But Arsenal pulled their offer for Ramsdale on Wednesday evening after talks broke down with Sheffield United. There was optimism in the air when the Gunners sat down with the Blades in the afternoon. However, Edu made it clear they would not pay more than £20m.
Sheffield United value Ramsdale at £30m and had already rejected two offers from Arsenal this summer for the 23-year-old. Now, Edu will begin to target another goalkeeper, while Arteta will likely name Runarsson on the bench at Brentford for Friday’s season-opener.
Arsenal had spoken with the agent of Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana earlier in the window but favoured Ramsdale. Managing Director Edwin van der Sar confirms the Cameroonian still wants to leave the Eredivisie giants, while De Telegraaf report he rejected joining Lyon.
Edu could look to revive Arsenal’s interest in Onana after pulling out of talks with Sheffield United over Ramsdale. But the Blades ace was Arteta’s top-target, per The Athletic, who note the Gunners hoped talks on Wednesday would see the clubs compromise on a price.
However, Arsenal’s offer of no more than £20m upfront for Ramsdale failed to appeal to Sheffield United’s Saudi Arabian owners. They felt it did not represent enough profit on the £18.5m paid to Bournemouth last summer, even with additional add-ons.
Arteta frustrated as Arsenal hopes of Sheffield United’s Ramsdale collapse
Arteta will be frustrated to see Arsenal miss out signing Ramsdale from Sheffield United this summer. The Blades ace was his top-target for a crucial position, but the finances failed to suit either side. Seeing the Spaniard miss out on someone Asmir Begovic believes can ‘become one of the best’, having hailed his ‘quality’ on talkSPORT last month.
Now, Edu must find a suitable alternative for the Gunners to land before the August 31 deadline. Arteta will be loath to start the campaign without a capable backup for Leno and have to rely on Runarsson. The 26-year-old is not up to standard and was likely to leave.
Onana may now become Arsenal’s top-target, but Arteta’s biggest hope will be on Leno staying fit. While thoughts at the Emirates Stadium will likely reflect on last summer when they sold Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
