Arsenal are set to sell several fringe players this summer to reinvest into the squad, but questions remain over their ability to sell high.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is one player who looks set to depart. The 26-year-old lost his place to David Raya, and is keen on first-team action elsewhere.
Arsenal did encounter a problem though, as it was recently reported that Newcastle had cooled their interest in the England International as they did not want to meet Arsenal’s asking price of around £30m.
This is a problematic situation which is arguably Arsenal’s fault, given that they let a high-value asset lower his transfer value by spending a season on the bench, after signing a long-term deal.
However, Arsenal icon Perry Groves is confident that Ramsdale’s quality means that he will fetch a significant transfer fee for Mikel Arteta to use on the rest of the squad.
Perry Groves claims Aaron Ramsdale could fetch £45m fee for Arsenal
Speaking to talkSPORT, Groves claimed that Arteta would not stand in Ramsdale’s way if he pushed for a move away, with a sale worth a big fee.
“It will be £45, £50 million, and to be fair, I don’t think Arteta will want to keep him on the bench. Do you know what I mean? I think he would think, ‘I don’t want to hold your career back?’” He explained.
“I think there will be just an understanding where it’s going to be Raya is my number one, you are my number two, you have done brilliantly for the club, you have never let the club down, the fans love you, but you have got to go on and you have got to be playing.”
Where could Aaron Ramsdale go this summer when he leaves Arsenal?
Given Ramsdale’s performance levels as a goalkeeper capable of playing for a top-four side, there is a limited market for him.
Chelsea and Newcastle are in the market for a new goalkeeper, but it remains to be seen whether either would be prepared to pay Arsenal’s asking price, and Arteta may be keen to avoid making a loss on a goalkeeper he signed three years ago.
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It is unclear whether Ramsdale would be open to a move abroad, but there are few clubs who would be keen on him who could afford his fee and wages.
Given his contract length, a loan move away where he can regain some transfer value could be a smart move, but it would represent a risk, and it would not help Arsenal financially in this summer transfer window.