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Reports: Another deal agreed as Arsenal secure £54m double swoop

By on August 18, 2021

It’s been a busy day at Arsenal as reports claim we’ve now agreed a deal to sign Aaron Ramsdale for an initial £24m having already reached an agreement to re-sign Martin Odegaard for £30m.

Mikel Arteta has been in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer after Mat Ryan left the club when his loan ended in June. We desperately need competition for Bernd Leno and Ramsdale emerged as our top target.

It looked as though any potential deal had collapsed after Sheffield United refused to lower their £40m asking price having rejected two lower offers from Arsenal earlier in the summer.

However, The Star claims Sheffield United returned to the negotiating table this week after Ramsdale made it clear he wanted to move to the Emirates Stadium and the two clubs have now agreed a deal in principal.

According to the news outlet, Arsenal will pay an initial £24m for the 23-year-old’s signature with a further £6m in add-ons due if certain clauses are met – most of which are related to him becoming Arsenal’s No.1.

Sky Sports are also reporting this news along with The Athletic and football.london while the player has been left out of Sheffield United’s game this evening so it’s safe to say we’re about to sign Ramsdale.

I still think this is a very strange deal as the £24m could be much better spent elsewhere enhancing the first team. However, he’s young and is highly-rated in this country so let’s give him time to show what he can do.

Odegaard medical

The Ramsdale news came shortly after it was reported by Sky Sports [among several others] that Arsenal have agreed a deal with Real Madrid to sign Martin Odegaard for an initial £30m fee.

The media outlet says Odegaard was at London Colney undergoing his medical on Wednesday afternoon and personal terms have reportedly already been agreed. The player doesn’t need to quarantine after arriving from Spain as he’s fully vaccinated.

The 22-year-old could be available to take on Chelsea this weekend if we get the deal finalised quickly as he needs to be registered by midday on Friday to be eligible on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal desperately needed a creative midfielder and Odegaard is a smart purchase as his loan was a success overall last season, he knows the club and won’t need time to settle in the Premier League.

The Norwegian international is a huge talent and will no doubt develop into a top class player over the coming years so I think it’s excellent business by Arsenal. Certainly a lot smarter than £24m on a back-up keeper!

So it looks like Arsenal have agreed a £54m double swoop today which takes our summer spending past £130m. That’s a significant investment so I’d assume the club will now focus on offloading some unwanted players.