Ramsdale handed Arsenal exit route as rivals 'prepare January transfer bid'

24 October 2023 , 00:09

1272     0

Ramsdale handed Arsenal exit route as rivals 'prepare January transfer bid'

Chelsea are eyeing a January move for Aaron Ramsdale, with the England keeper growing frustrated on the Arsenal bench.

Ramsdale was dropped by boss Mikel Arteta after the win over Manchester United in September, with David Raya replacing him as the first choice between the sticks. The change had been anticipated ever since Raya joined the Gunners from Brentford in the summer.

Raya has featured in every game since then, conceding six goals, with Ramsdale forced to watch on from the bench. The Spaniard has endured several nervy performances since taking over from the England international, though Arteta is sticking by him.

That could lead Ramsdale to look for a new club come the January window, with Chelsea putting themselves first in line. According to reports, the Blues are interested in snapping him up amid concerns over Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez has also struggled since arriving Stamford Bridge, making a dreadful mistake by giving the ball straight to Declan Rice for his goal on Saturday. And Chelsea are now keen to take advantage of the situation across London.

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

If Ramsdale is available for a move, the Blues will see him as an upgrade on the struggling Sanchez. There are obvious stumbling blocks to such a deal taking place though, which could force Chelsea to explore other options.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Aaron Ramsdale look to leave Arsenal in January? Comment below.

Aaron Ramsdale could be offered a January exit from Arsenal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The first is that the Gunners are likely to be unwilling to let Ramsdale join a club who have previously been one of their biggest rivals for a top four spot. Arteta may also have plans to bring Ramsdale back into the fold given Raya's struggles.

Ramsdale himself may also be unwilling to leave, if he feels he can retake his place from the Spaniard. Arsenal are also able to offer Champions League football, though Arteta does seem set on sticking with Raya for the time being.

"I haven't seen that of Raya, I haven't see that," he said when asked if Raya was feeling the pressure. "That's the pressure of playing for big clubs. You have to win and you have to be at your best and you have someone next to you who is pushing you every single day.

"But if we were to go position by position, you would tell me 'what happens with the left-back, what happens with the holding midfielder'. Did you ask Jorginho a question already, Gabriel Jesus there's another question that and that's the debate.

"That's the beauty of the game as well and young find you have other options, you're going to make those talks more frequently as well. Errors are part of football and mistakes happen, from defenders, from strikers and from goalkeepers."

Jacob Leeks