Arsenal respond to Ajax approach for Aaron Ramsdale after identifying ideal replacement

Arsenal have knocked back an approach from Ajax to sign Aaron Ramsdale on loan.

Ramsdale appeared to have nailed down the number one spot at Arsenal following a £30million switch from Sheffield United back in 2021, with the goalkeeper making 78 appearances across his first two seasons in north London.

But eyebrows were raised when Arsenal secured a loan deal for David Raya last term and the Spaniard usurped Ramsdale between the sticks before signing for the Gunners on a permanent basis this summer.

In total, Ramsdale made a total of just six appearances in the Premier League last season and the 26-year-old is desperate to secure regular first-team football ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Both Newcastle and Chelsea have been credited with an interest in Ramsdale in recent months but neither team have advanced with serious bids to land the out-of-favour England international.

According to The Athletic, Eredivisie outfit Ajax are the latest team to explore a move for Ramsdale and made contact with Arsenal regarding an initial loan for the shot-stopper.

However, this proposal was rejected out of hand by Arsenal, who are keen to move Ramsdale on permanently before the transfer deadline.

The report claims Espanyol’s Joan Garcia – part of Spain’s squad that won gold at the Paris Olympics – is being eyed as a replacement should the Englishman find an escape route that suits all parties.

Ramsdale, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, was left as an unused substitute in both of Arsenal’s most recent pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.

Barring injury, Raya appears a shoo-in to start for Mikel Arteta’s side when they get their new season underway at home to Wolves this weekend.

Speaking to The Daily Star last month, legendary ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman said Ramsdale needed to say farewell to the club for the good of his career.

‘I’ve always said Aaron is too good to be a number two. He’s a fantastic player. He needs to play. Wherever that is, I don’t know,’ Seaman told The Daily Star.

‘It’s a weird situation. Ideally, you’d love him to stay because that would be great for the club.

‘But he needs to move for his career. And that includes England because, if he’s not playing, he’ll keep dropping down the pecking order with them.’

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