A misfit at Arsenal Aaron Ramsdale signs contract to join Newcastle this summer.
Aaron Ramsdale has almost definitely played his final game for Arsenal, and an agreement has been made for the goalkeeper to join Newcastle during the summer transfer window. Ramsdale appeared to have sealed down his status as Arsenal’s number one after signing for £24 million from Sheffield United in 2021, appearing in 78 games in his first two seasons in north London. However, David Raya’s loan move from Brentford created concerns over Ramsdale’s future at the club, and the England international has played only six Premier League games this season under Mikel Arteta.
Raya is anticipated to join Arsenal on a permanent basis in the summer, while popular rumors claim the Gunners are open to offers for Ramsdale, who has two years left on his current contract. Chelsea have long admired Ramsdale and have kept a careful eye on the issue, with Mauricio Pochettino alternating between Dorde Petrovic and Robert Sanchez in goal this season. Newcastle, on the other hand, have raced to the head of the queue for Ramsdale’s signature, according to Sky Sports’ James Green, who believes the out-of-favour shot-stopper has agreed to a contract to move to St James’ Park.
Speaking on Highbury Squad, he said: ‘I understand and found out straight from the player’s agent that one of our players is headed to Newcastle and a deal has been agreed.
It is my understanding that Aaron Ramsdale has agreed to join Newcastle in the summer. ‘That came directly from speaking with someone I’m very close with who is close to his agent, and he says it’s completed. ‘The deal is happening.’
Arsenal fans are divided about Arteta’s treatment of Ramsdale, and Jens Lehmann, a member of Arsene Wenger’s renowned Invincibles squad, has ‘never understood’ why the Englishman was so quickly demoted in the pecking order. ‘I never understood Ramsdale’s choice,’ the former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper told The Daily Mail last month. ‘If you have a good, gutsy English goalkeeper at a large English team who is doing well, then you bring in a Spanish player who has never played for a big club at that level, it just doesn’t make sense. The goalkeeper is the most crucial position on the squad. If I were Ramsdale, I’m not sure how I’d react since it’s difficult at that age. When you become older, things change.
Meanwhile, David Seaman believes Ramsdale should leave Arsenal for the sake of his career, naming Chelsea and West Ham as potential exit routes for the 26-year-old. ‘You are not going to grow being a number two. You will fall down the pecking order as other goalkeepers begin to play,’ he stated on the Seaman Says podcast. ‘As an Arsenal fan, I do not want Aaron Ramsdale to leave. But, as an ex-England goalie, I’d like to see another keeper improve. ‘When I think about it, I believe he may move to a club like Chelsea to improve his chances of obtaining first-team action. I believe he would be suitable for a select clubs, such as West.