As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Arsenal have rejected an offer from Ajax for Aaron Ramsdale.
The top European club had proposed an initial loan of the goalkeeper, who has been with the club since 2021.
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He became Arsenal’s most expensive goalkeeper when they brought him back from Sheffield United for £30 million.
Since then, he has played 89 times in all competitions for Arsenal and won the Community Shield with the club in 2023.
But Ramsdale fell down the pecking order after David Raya arrived on loan from Brentford in August 2023.
Last season, he only made six appearances in the Premier League and did not play in Arsenal’s two pre-season games at the Emirates.
Raya’s place at Arsenal has now been confirmed and he will remain the preferred starter in the future.
This means Ramsdale is now top of the list of potential departures this summer, having attracted significant interest elsewhere.
Ajax, the 36-time Eredivisie champions, have now made their hopes clear after making an approach.
Arsenal, however, are not interested in Ramsdale leaving on loan, which makes Ajax’s initial offers unattractive.
They would prefer to see the goalkeeper leave the club permanently in this transfer window and they have reportedly also eyed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as a possible replacement.
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Since Ajax’s interest in Ramsdale has not been extinguished by the failure of the first deal, it is possible that Arsenal will receive another offer shortly.
In addition, as The Pitch Prospect reported last week, the English goalkeeper has also attracted interest from several clubs across the Premier League.
Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Southampton have also put Ramsdale high on their wishlist this summer as they look to sign another goalkeeper.
Throughout last season, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had repeatedly expressed how important Ramsdale’s role in the team was to him.
But despite all this, Arsenal have now shown themselves open to offers for the goalkeeper.
“This is a team sport and you need 24 players who have a role to fulfil,” Arteta said back in November. “The role you have in August can be very different from the one you have in March. Making early decisions is not good at all, in my experience.”
“The team has certain requirements that need to be met and you can’t achieve that with six, 10 or 14 players – it’s impossible. You need every single one and Aaron has a really important role in the team.”
Aaron Ramsdale Premier League appearances
Arsenal, 2021/22 – 34 appearances, 12 clean sheets
Arsenal, 2022/23 – 38 appearances, 14 clean sheets
Arsenal, 2023/24 – 6 appearances, 2 clean sheets
David Raya Premier League appearances
Brentford, 2021/22 – 24 appearances, 8 clean sheets
Brentford, 2022/23 – 38 appearances, 12 clean sheets
Arsenal, 2023/24 – 32 appearances, 16 clean sheets
“I have no message to any clubs (I am thinking about a move to Ramsdale). I can talk about my players, how much I like them and how much I like Aaron. We want him with us, that’s for sure.”