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Arsenal are understood to be closing in on the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United in a deal worth around £24million, according to reports. The England youth international, who was part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad after replacing the injured Dean Henderson, is now on the cusp of joining the Gunners with talks between the two clubs now advanced.
Arsenal are believed to have already seen two offers rejected for the Blades No 1 but the Gunners were always expected to return to the table.
Ramsdale’s future in Yorkshire has been in doubt since he returned for pre-season but he was between the sticks for the opening day defeat to Birmingham at Bramall Lane last weekend.
Now he could be returning to the Premier League again following a second successive relegation.
Bournemouth initially signed the 23-year-old from Sheffield United but Ramsdale returned north to the Blades last summer following the Cherries’ relegation from the top-flight in the 2019/20 season.
Leno also has just two years remaining on his current deal and has made no secret of the fact he would like to explore a new challenge.
There have been no offers for the German this summer though and he will not have another goalkeeper to compete with for his troubles.
Emiliano Martinez was excellent when filling in for Leno at the end of the 2019/20 season following a knee injury.
He then featured in the Community Shield win over Liverpool before the start of last season before joining Aston Villa in a £20m deal.
The Argentine was amongst the best goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, leaving Arsenal to lick their wounds.
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Now they are optimistic Ramsdale can help strengthen Arteta’s goalkeeping department by providing healthy competition.
Arsenal had also looked at Ajax’s Andre Onana, who remains suspended due to a doping ban.
He is expected to return to the field in November and he is currently up for grabs on the cheap this summer.
Technical director Edu decided against following up the club’s interest in the Cameroonian, who recently held talks with Lyon.
Instead, Ramsdale now looks like the fourth man to arrive through the door in north London after Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White.
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