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Following the permanent deal for David Raya after he impressed on loan last season, it was evident that the curtains had come down on Aaron Ramsdale status as a first team player. Ramsdale started the first four games of the Premier League and featured in the double legged tie against Brentford due to Raya’s ineligibility. Sadly, Ramsdale’s stock has fallen so far from the player that was nominated in the Team of the Year two seasons ago, and a player of his ability was never going to play second fiddle for so long and remain happy on the bench.
Ramsdale’s interview during the Euros made it clear that he was ready to leave Arsenal in order not to stagnate his career, and no one would have begrudged him for wanting to do that. There were links with Ajax and Wolves, and as the transfer window got to a close, Arsenal’s options were dwindling, and it would have been a disaster having Ramsdale on the bench for the second season in a row because he would have been very disgruntled and that wouldn’t have been good for squad morale.
Up came Southampton and in a swift swoop, Arsenal agreed a £25 million fee with the Saints and he’s set to undergo his medicals ahead of the proposed move before the window closes. A team like Southampton is a better suit for Ramsdale, as its akin to his time at Bournemouth and Sheffield United, where the English shot stopper stood out, making save after save to keep score lines at bay.
We really loved Ramsdale at Arsenal, but Arteta has shown how ruthless he can be, bearing in mind that Ramsdale was a beneficiary of his strong fist when Bernd Leno was axed from the squad to accommodate him. With Karl Hein leaving to Valladolid this summer, the Gunners are desperately light in goal, but Espanyol’s Joan Garcia has been nominated as a potential replacement, but he will be someone that will be content with a place on the bench.
We will monitor the Ramsdale situation but with the transfer window closing tomorrow, I would expect this deal to be completed late today or early tomorrow.
Sayonara.
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