Arsenal will open negotiations with Sheffield United over the summer transfer of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the coming weeks, according to the Express.
But Bournemouth could hinder the Gunners’ pursuit of the 23-year-old due to a sell-on fee the Blades would owe them. The Cherries inserted a 15% clause in the £18.5m deal that took Ramsdale back to Bramall Lane last summer.
Bournemouth would now be owed a small cut of however much Sheffield United receive – potentially from Arsenal – for Ramsdale. The Blades only want around £20m for the shot-stopper, meaning around £3m would be heading for Dean Court.
Yet despite Sheffield United effectively accepting a marginal loss on their 2020 investment, they are not expected to play hardball with Arsenal over a deal for Ramsdale. Instead, if any formal negotiations take place, they are happy to hear what the north Londoners can offer.
Mikel Arteta is keen for Technical Director Edu to make Ramsdale an Arsenal player to provide competition for Bernd Leno. The Spanish manager sees enough potential in the £22,000-per-week gem that he could one day take over from the German as his first-choice.
Leno may also leave the Emirates Stadium this summer if the Gunners receive a suitable offer. Meaning Ramsdale’s time as the 29-year-old’s understudy could be short-lived, much like his return to Sheffield United.
Bournemouth paid just £800,000 for Ramsdale in 2017, and Arsenal could see they make even more profit just a year after the goalkeeper returned to Bramall Lane. The England squad member made 38 Premier League outings last season, keeping five clean sheets.
Our view: Bournemouth could hinder Arsenal in Sheffield United raid for Ramsdale
While Sheffield United will not play hardball over retaining Ramsdale, the 15% they would owe Bournemouth could hinder Arsenal in Arteta’s pursuit of the goalkeeper.
Sheffield United will have to hold firm for their minimum asking price of around £20m to avoid a substantial loss. Selling for that figure will already see they write off more than £2m in fees and wages after a year.
The Blades would also be parting with a young goalkeeper whose stock should rise even more over the coming years. Much to Arsenal’s potential benefit, while handing Arteta his future number one and one that England’s first-choice, Jordan Pickford, lauds.
Pickford told England’s YouTube channel: “Ramsdale is brilliant. I have played against him for a few years, he has been in the Under 21 set-up. It’s a great honour.”
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