It seemed like only yesterday that Arsenal looked certain to sign Ajax star Andre Onana. But like most things in football, things are never straightforward.
Developments have been slow in the Gunners pursuit of the Cameroonian international. Indeed, Sky Sports Italia now report that the keeper could stay with the Dutch giants this summer.
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To add insult to injury, the Sheffield Star report that Sheffield United have slapped a £40m price tag on Aaron Ramsdale, a player Arsenal are interested in this summer, whilst Goal report that Onana is available this summer for just £7m.
Ramsdale is part of England’s Euro 2020 squad. However, the keeper is yet to play a single minute in this summer’s tournament.
Onana is ‘perfect’ for Arsenal
With Fabrizio Romano saying on the Here We Go Podcast that the Gunners view Onana as the ‘perfect’ goalkeeper this summer, Arsenal might not be out of the race yet for the former FC Barcelona shot-stopper.
Yet the sudden surge of reports and rumours linking Arsenal to Ramsdale suggests the Gunners might be changing tact over.
Arsenal’s transfer plan this year appears to be a smart one. Sign players are not at their peak just yet in hope that they will develop further at the club.
Indeed, it is a bold strategy that could work should everything fall into place. However, when it comes to the goalkeeper position, Arsenal have to sign a more experienced player than Ramsdale. And that man has to be Onana.
The 25-year-old keeper has played multiple seasons in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League with Ajax. Onana is well equipped to make the move to Arsenal and serve as their no. 1 for many years to come.
And with the Cameroonian international available for just £7m and available to play football this year, the Gunners have to push to sign him over Ramsdale, who could be a financial risk for Arsenal.