Arsenal are now ‘unwilling’ to sanction deal for wantaway £30m star despite potential benefits

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Arsenal face a dilemma over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer, with interest low in the England International.

Ramsdale lost his starting spot to David Raya last season, and he now looks set to leave Arsenal in search of more playing time.

The goalkeeper is now the second choice for both Arsenal and England, with Ramsdale failing to appear for a single minute at Euro 2024 as a member of the squad heading into the final against Spain.

However, the 26-year-old, who arrived at Arsenal for around £30m in 2021, is struggling to find suitors. Arsenal have placed a huge price tag on him, and very few clubs are in the market for a new number-one option.

This could have raised the possibility of a loan to help maintain or increase his value, but it now appears that this is not an option Arsenal are prepared to sanction.

Arsenal unwilling to loan out Aaron Ramsdale

The Athletic have now reported that Arsenal would not be prepared to let Ramsdale leave on a loan move if no offers come in.

“For the time being, Arsenal are unwilling to countenance a loan deal or to consider dropping their price. Unless something changes and a significant domino falls in the world of goalkeeper recruitment, that position may have to shift,” they claimed.

This is a surprising stance, given that at this point, it seems unlikely that anyone would spend a big fee on him, and there is also plenty to be gained from a loan move.

Why a loan move for Aaron Ramsdale makes sense

Ramsdale has been a top quality goalkeeper for Arsenal at times, but he has just spent a season on the bench, which has no doubt lowered his value in the market and his appeal to other clubs.

Goalkeepers need to be playing regularly, and if Ramsdale goes on a dry loan elsewhere to a club where he may start, he can find his best form and remind everyone of his qualities.

This could raise his value ahead of next summer, and there is bound to be significantly more interest in a goalkeeper coming off the back of a strong season, than one who is struggling for confidence and game time.

Ramsdale clearly wants to play regularly, and if he ends up staying at Arsenal as a backup, it could lead to problems in the dressing room as an unhappy player will be on the bench.