EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal planning long-term future with Ramsdale as Arteta emulates Man City

Steve Kay

• Updated: 1 Feb 2024 22:35 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal may have shut down the prospect of Aaron Ramsdale leaving the club during the January transfer window, but FootballTransfers understands that it is the intention of Mikel Arteta to keep the England international goalkeeper at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.

The Gunners signed David Raya from Brentford on a controversial loan move in the summer, which FootballTransfers exclusively revealed at the time would see the Spaniard claim the No.1 spot for the Premier League title challengers.

With Ramsdale relegated to second string, there had been strong speculation that he could leave in January, but though Arsenal were approached by numerous clubs, they knocked ball all offers.

What’s more, Arteta’s side have no intention of selling the player in the immediate future. Sources have told FootballTransfers that unless a goalkeeper of similar standard is signed, Ramsdale will not be allowed to leave.

Arteta has spoken to the 25-year-old and told him that he wants him to stay and fight for his place after signing Raya from Brentford in a deal that is expected to be made permanent.

The Gunners boss wants to have two top-class goalkeepers in his squad going forward into next season’s campaign to be able to cope with the heavy schedule of domestic and European competition, similar to Premier League rivals Manchester City, who have Ederson and Stefen Ortega and Liverpool with Alison and Ireland International Caoimhim Kelleher.

Ramsdale a favourite at the Emirates

Ramsdale was signed from Sheffield United in 2021 for €28 million (£24m).

Arsenal were questioned at the time for the signing but those doubts were vindicated after he took over from now-Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. He quickly became a fan favourite, a very popular figure in the dressing room and was integral in Arsenal's title run last season.

This saw his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rise as high as €48.5m – close to double what Arsenal paid for him.

Ramsdale signed a new contract with Arsenal in May 2023 until 2026, and there is also the option of a further year added to his current deal, highlighting the Gunners’ desire to retain the Yorkshireman, despite the addition of Raya to their ranks.