Arsenal have ‘no plans’ to let outcast leave in January window despite FFP worry

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Arsenal may struggle to spend in the January transfer window due to financial fair play concerns, and sales may be necessary to fund further moves.

With Arsenal targeting a defender, and urged to sign a striker, fringe players may need to be sacrificed, but it appears that Mikel Arteta has no intention of letting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale leave.

The England International would carry a lot of value in the transfer market given the fact he signed a long-term contract in the summer and was an impressive performer last season, but with David Raya now Arsenal’s number one, Ramsdale could have been sold to generate funds for other signings.

Dharmesh Sheth shares Arsenal stance on Aaron Ramsdale

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has now revealed that Arsenal currently do not have any plans to let Ramsdale leave, despite the potential to solve their FFP issues with a sale.

“Arsenal have no plans to allow Aaron Ramsdale to leave in this window,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Ramsdale’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation – but his situation is likely to be reviewed in the summer.

“It is likely to be a quiet window as far as incomings are concerned given FFP restrictions and they may look at the loan market if they want to recruit.”

Arsenal need to be fair to Aaron Ramsdale

When Raya joined in the summer, Mikel Arteta hinted that both goalkeepers would compete for the number one spot, but the reality has been very different.

Raya started in the Premier League and Champions League, and made some high-profile errors. Despite this, Ramsdale has hardly featured, and there has been no indication that he will be able to win his place back no matter what Raya does.

If Arteta is unwilling to give Ramsdale another chance, then the Englishman should be allowed to leave in search of first-team football, rather than being kept as an unnecessary bench option, and a major sale could allow Arsenal to pursue some of their other targets.

Having Ramsdale on the bench for the rest of the season would create a situation which suits neither goalkeeper, as they both face intense scrutiny, and would prevent the club from gaining potential transfer funds.

If Arteta is at least willing to give Ramsdale a chance in the FA Cup or Champions League, then keeping him will be understandable, but preventing a move whilst also reducing his value by limiting his game time would be a harmful decision from Arsenal.