Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent believes that Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is good enough to start for a number of Premier League clubs.
Since David Raya made his debut for Arsenal in mid-September, Aaron Ramsdale has been restricted to appearances in the EFL Cup.
Having lost the No. 1 spot at the Emirates Stadium, plenty of speculation has sprung up around the future of Ramsdale. This has been exacerbated by the player’s father publicly speaking out about his son’s current unhappiness with his back up role.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Ramsdale is planning to stay at Arsenal, at least until the end of the season, and fight to get his starting berth back.
That being said, as long as they have an affordable replacement option lined up, it would make some sense for Arsenal to move Ramsdale on in the upcoming January transfer window. The Gunners don’t have much of a budget to work with as things stand, and selling the 25-year-old would allow them to boost their funds and reinvest in other areas of the squad.
The England shot-stopper would surely attract plenty of suitors were he to be put on the market.
Should Arsenal seek to cash in on Aaron Ramsdale now?
Darren Bent certainly believes Ramsdale would walk into many Premier League starting XIs. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said, “this is where the sticking point is, because when you look at the league table, right, and you start thinking about Aaron Ramsdale, I think he can go pretty much, not everywhere, but there are a lot of clubs out there I believe he’s better than their goalkeeper now.”
“Newcastle’s; I’d have him over [Nick] Pope…I think he’s better than [Andre] Onana…I think he’s better than West Ham’s goalkeepers.”
talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein then interjected to say, “he’s certainly better than Chelsea’s.”
Bent then continued, “we’ve just named four clubs like that. I don’t understand, why would you want him to go and make other people better? Certainly if they’re your rivals.”
Bent makes a good point about how Arteta would likely be reluctant to strengthen any of the clubs battling with the Gunners in the upper reaches of the Premier League table. That notion alone may be enough to put Arsenal off from trying to sell Ramsdale this winter.
Of course, if Ramsdale decides to agitate for a move himself, Arteta could have his hand forced. As things stand, though, it seems likely that the £30 million goalkeeper will remain in north London for the time being.
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