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Arsenal confirm Aaron Ramsdale signing as Arteta completes £54m double swoop

By on August 20, 2021

aaron ramsdale arsenal keeper

Arsenal have confirmed on Arsenal.com this evening that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has joined the club from Sheffield United.

Mikel Arteta has been in the market for a new keeper this summer after Mat Ryan left the club following a short loan spell last season. Alex Runarsson clearly isn’t up to the task so we need a competitive back-up for Bernd Leno.

Ramsdale has been widely touted as Arsenal’s first choice target and we entered advanced negotiations with Sheffield United earlier this week after they agreed to lower their initial £40m asking price.

Ramsdale reportedly played a key role in the decision after making clear to his former club that he wanted to move to the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal finally agreed a fee with the Blades on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old undertook his medical at London Colney on Thursday and finalised terms ahead of the move, with The Athletic claiming that Arsenal will pay Sheffield United an initial fee of £24m. There could be a further £6m in add-ons to pay if Ramsdale goes on to become our No.1 and play a significant role in our future success.

The report says Ramsdale has signed a four year contract with the option of another year and he’ll wear the No.32 shirt this season. Arsenal managed to get the deal registered in time for the keeper to be eligible to play against Chelsea on Sunday. However, he’s expected to be named on the bench with Leno keeping his place.

The England U21 international is expected to play second-fiddle to Leno this campaign but the German will have just one year on his contract next summer and is tipped for a move in 2022, so Ramsdale could take over the No.1 shirt next season if he impresses over the next year.

£54m double swoop

It’s been a busy day at Arsenal as we also confirmed the arrival of Martin Odegaard in an initial £30m deal from Real Madrid this morning. The playmaker will wear the No.8 shirt but isn’t available against Chelsea as he hasn’t been granted his visa yet.

So Arsenal have splashed out £54m on two new signings today. It’s safe to say the fan base is more enthusiastic about Odegaard’s arrival than Ramsdale’s but the fact is we’ve signed two talents young players who have their best years ahead of them.

Let’s all get right behind our new signings and hope they do great things during their time in north London!