Arsenal’s move to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United has collapsed, leaving the keeper devastated as Arsenal move on to other targets.
Arsenal want to sign a homegrown keeper this summer and Aaron Ramsdale has been their preferred choice. Sheffield United, however, want £30m+ for their 23-year-old keeper and that’s a price Arsenal are not prepared to pay.
As news broke that Arsenal and Sheffield United were in advanced talks over a deal for the English international, it seemed as if the two clubs might have found a way to breach the gap between them with a reported deal worth £24m plus £6m in add-ons being talked about.
Not long after, however, the whole thing reportedly collapsed with Sheffield United’s demands rising to £35m for a keeper who is actually only valued at £10.8m. They paid £18.45m for Ramsdale last summer and Arsenal were prepared to pay between £17m and £20m for him.
Understand Aaron Ramsdale is "gutted" about his move to Arsenal breaking down. Sheffield United's asking fee proving too much for Arsenal who have informed the player they are now moving onto other targets
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) August 12, 2021
A few days before it was revealed they were all in advanced talks, we covered a story that claimed Arsenal would not be meeting Sheffield United’s £30m demands, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see us revisit this as the window’s deadline approaches and Sheffield United think about turning down £20m for a player worth half that who wants to leave.
There are few homegrown keepers on the market and this could well be a story Arsenal come back to.