Aaron Ramsdale has set a timeline to hold a ‘very frank’ conversation with Arsenal about his transfer away from the Gunners with West Ham United showing interest.
The 25-year-old is set to return to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI for only the sixth Premier League game this season on Saturday. Arsenal host Brentford at Emirates Stadium in a 17:30 kick-off but will be without David Raya. The on-loan goalkeeper is ineligible to meet his parent team.
Ramsdale had started the season as Arteta’s No1 but he fell to the Gunners’ bench following the September international break. The England stopper has since only met Brentford in the top-flight back in November. Raya has started all 22 fixtures available to him since his debut.
Aaron Ramsdale will seek a ‘very frank’ conversation with Arsenal after Euro 2024
Arteta decided to oust Ramsdale in favour of Raya despite Arsenal starting their season with three wins from four fixtures. He also showed unyielding confidence in Raya despite the 28-year-old’s nervy start, emphasised by his extremely worrying work against Manchester City.
Yet Ben Jacobs now reports that Ramsdale is still 100% focused on Arsenal and only them. His attention will only leave the Emirates this summer if he makes Gareth Southgate’s team for England’s Euro 2024 efforts. Ramsdale will also only consider his transfer after the Euros.
Jacobs expects Ramsdale will eye a ‘very frank’ conversation with Arsenal about his situation and any transfer after the Euros. The four-cap stopper will want clarity on Arteta’s plans next term. And if Arteta sticks with Raya, the Gunners are unlikely to stop Ramsdale from leaving.
West Ham are tracking Aaron Ramsdale’s situation in view of his summer transfer
Arsenal respect Ramsdale and will understand if he wants to secure a transfer to be the No1 at another club. He has so far only played 10 times this term ahead of his likely recall against Brentford on Saturday. Just five of his outings have also come during Premier League games.
One of his outings also came as Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 in the Carabao Cup in September after which Arteta called Ramsdale ‘exceptional’. Now, his continuing place on the bench has West Ham considering a transfer, with 90min reporting that the Irons are tracking Ramsdale.
The Hammers are among a wealth of clubs to retain interest in Ramsdale, who may also get offers from abroad. Alphonse Areola has enjoyed a solid season at London Stadium. But the possibility of signing Ramsdale still appeals to West Ham as he will prefer to stay in England.
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