Sheffield United’s boss, Slavisa Jokanovic, said it wasn’t ‘perfect preparation’ to lose Aaron Ramsdale so close to their game against West Brom as the keeper agrees a deal with Arsenal.

Sheffield, England, 7th August 2021. Aaron Ramsdale of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture credit: Andrew Yates / Sportimage
Sheffield, England, 7th August 2021. Aaron Ramsdale of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture credit: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Arsenal, Sheffield United, and Aaron Ramsdale had all found an agreement that would see the England keeper move to Arsenal for somewhere in the region of £30m, including add-ons.

The same evening, Sheffield United were set to face West Brom in the Championship and, when their squad was announced, there was no sign of Ramsdale. Reserve keeper, Michael Verrips, was in the starting lineup while Wesley Foderingham was on the bench.

The Blades went down 4-0 at the Hawthornes, thanks to goals from O’Shea, Mowatt, Robinson and a Sheffield United OG.

After the game, Jokanovic said, “It wasn’t perfect preparation for the game, to lose Aaron so close to it, but we cannot be especially surprised by it.

“It was not an easy day for Michael Verrips.”

Arsenal are hoping they can get all the paperwork done in time to have Ramsdale registered for the game against Chelsea at the weekend.

They also expect to have Martin Odegaard signed in time, after the midfielder was spotted at London Colney on Wednesday.