Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is likely to leave this summer, with Newcastle and Chelsea reportedly interested in him. The England international has spent the majority of the season on the bench. Ramsdale was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Gunners for the past two seasons but lost his place to David Raya, who joined in the 2023 summer transfer window on a loan deal from Brentford. With the Spaniard set to join Arsenal on a permanent deal worth £27 million this summer, Ramsdale will be looking to leave in search of regular football.
Coming through the youth ranks of Sheffield United, Ramsdale joined Bournemouth in January 2017. He was loaned out to Chesterfield and Wimbledon for the following two seasons. The Englishman established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Cherries in the 2019/20 season and won plaudits for his performances.
This prompted his boyhood club Sheffield United to sign him for a reported fee of £18 million the next season. Despite his strong performances in goal, he couldn’t prevent the Blades from falling to the Championship. Impressed with his goalkeeping skills, Arsenal signed him on a long-term deal for around £30 million.
Ramsdale’s first two seasons for the Gunners were excellent. He became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and was included in the PFA Team of the Year in the 2022-23 season. However, Raya replaced him in goal last season, and whenever he got a chance, Ramsdale looked a bit shaky.
He made just six appearances in the 2023/24 Premier League season. His stats from the past year don’t help his case. He made a major error against Brentford that led to a goal for the opposition. His 68% save rate ranks him in just the 30th percentile amongst all goalkeepers, and his PSxG-GA of -0.16 ranks him in a dismal 18th percentile. PSxG-GA is the Goals Allowed minus the Post-Shot Expected Goals against him. The negative number suggests that a goalkeeper has let in more goals than he should have based on the quality of shots he has faced (quantified as xG or Expected Goals).
Despite some struggles this season, Newcastle remains extremely interested in him. Chelsea are also keeping track of him but is unsure whether to go for him or not. One thing is for sure though: Ramsdale is too good a keeper to be on the bench, so if Arsenal do get a decent fee for him, a move away from the club benefits both parties.
