Arsenal ‘pushing’ for Aaron Ramsdale, confirms Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic

The Sheffield United manager claimed that the Premier League club are interested in signing the England goalkeeper, with two weeks to go until the window closes

Jamie Braidwood
Tuesday 17 August 2021 15:12 BST
Comments
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joined Sheffield United from Bournemouth in 2020
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joined Sheffield United from Bournemouth in 2020 (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal are trying to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, the Championship club’s manager Slavisa Jokanovic has said.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been looking for a back-up goalkeeper for first-choice Berdt Leno after Mat Ryan left the club at the end of his loan spell last season. The Gunners were left with 19-year-old Estonian goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club, on their bench for their Premier League opener against Brentford.

Ramsdale, 23, was relegated to the Championship last season after joining Sheffield United from Bournemouth, who were relegated the year before, but he impressed England manager Gareth Southgate with his performances and was included in his Euro 2020 squad.

The goalkeeper joined the Blades from Bournemouth for £18.5 million last year and the club are keen to recoup that fee following their relegation from the Premier League last season. Jokanovic warned that Arsenal would have to “spend a lot of money” to sign Ramsdale on a permanent deal.

Asked if the England goalkeeper would be moving on from the Championship club this window, Jokanovic said: “Right now he is a United player. It will depend on our club and Arsenal too because they are pushing for him but at this moment there is no change.

“He is a talented English player and I understand Arsenal are interested, but this is the business. If he is one of the best players in the league his price is high and it’s up to Arsenal if they want him. They need to spend a lot of money.

“I will be disappointed [if he leaves] but it’s part of the realistic situation - Arsenal is pushing from one side and I am pulling from a different side.”

Arsenal have spent more than £70m this window on defender Ben White, midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and left back Nuno Tavares.

Ramsdale has played in Sheffield United’s first two matches of the Championship season under new boss Jokanovic.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in