Arsenal are in talks over a possible deal for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale, making initial contact with the player’s current club.

The Athletic report that along with Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga, Arsenal are also in talks over Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale. The Gunners have followed up their interest in signing the 23-year-old by making contact over a potential deal.

Ramsdale wouldn’t come particularly cheap, so The Athletic write that Arsenal’s interest in him suggests they regard him as a long-term signing.

It certainly seemed like the reports that Sheffield United would reject a £20m bid for the goalkeeper would put an end to the story, with the club wanting more like £24m.

The idea that Arsenal would spend that much on a backup goalkeeper when they have so much business to do seemed a bit strange. Yet the rumours persist.

Sky Sports reported earlier in the month that Ramsdale was just one of a number of goalkeepers Arsenal are considering, so perhaps they’re just keeping their options open for all eventualities.

After all, we don’t know what’s going to happen with Bernd Leno. If he leaves, Arsenal will have more money available and more motivation to make a couple of signings in goal. If he stays, the opposite is true.

Ramsdale is 23, and he was relegated with Sheffield United this season. He played all 38 league games and made the England squad at the end of the campaign, so he’s clearly rated by club and country, but his stats in 2020/21 were fairly average.

He’s young, he’s homegrown and – contrary to some claims on Twitter – the stats don’t suggest he actively contributed to Sheffield United going down. But it’s not the marquee signing fans will want in goal.