Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has now made a decision on his future in north London after Newcastle United prioritised a transfer for Burnley star James Trafford.
A move away from Emirates Stadium in the off-season has long been expected for Ramsdale after Mikel Arteta lost faith. The Arsenal manager axed the 26-year-old only four games into the Premier League campaign in September after signing David Raya on loan from Brentford.
Ramsdale only returned to the Arsenal net when Arteta could not select Raya to play against the 28-year-old’s parent club. He finished the season with just six appearances for two clean sheets to five goals conceded. Ramsdale appeared 11 times in all competitions to Raya’s 41.
Aaron Ramsdale is open to moving abroad after Newcastle prioritised James Trafford
Newcastle have been one club to show interest in Ramsdale’s transfer from Arsenal after his demise at Emirates Stadium. But Ben Jacobs reports that the Toon are prioritising their talks with Burnley to sign Trafford. The Magpies are also optimistic about landing the 21-year-old.
St James’ Park chiefs believe they can get Trafford for nearly £20m although the Clarets feel their offer is too reliant on add-ons. Trafford joining Newcastle may raise question marks for Ramsdale, though, as he vies to be a No1 shot-stopper again after falling out of Arsenal’s XI.
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Should a move to Newcastle be officially off the table, Ramsdale is open to securing a move abroad instead, too. While the five-cap keeper is focusing on helping England at Euro 2024, Ramsdale will seek a transfer away from Arsenal at the conclusion of the UEFA tournament.
Arsenal could price Aaron Ramsdale out of a transfer with their £50m valuation
While Ramsdale has decided that he is open to a transfer abroad, the goalkeeper might also have to convince Arsenal to lower their asking price. The Gunners are keen to register a nice profit on the £24m, rising to £30m, Arsenal paid Sheffield United for Ramsdale back in 2021.
According to The Sun, the lowest upfront fee that Emirates Stadium chiefs will take is £40m. Arsenal value Ramsdale at £50m but will agree to £10m of the sum being in add-ons as long as the other £40m is guaranteed. He is under contract in the capital through to June 2026.
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Arsenal’s asking price is likely why Newcastle have prioritised raiding Burnley following their relegation to sign Trafford instead of Ramsdale. The 21-year-old played in 28 of the Clarets’ top-flight fixtures for two clean sheets in 2023/24 after joining them from Manchester City.