Aaron Ramsdale’s Arsenal career all-but over as Southampton agree £25million transfer for England goalkeeper

SOUTHAMPTON have agreed a fee with Arsenal over a permanent deal for keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The Saints reignited their interest in the Gunners‘ England stopper, 26, after their deal for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow collapsed due to a failed medical.

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Rex

Arsenal rejected a loan approach from Southampton this month but the South Coast club have returned with an initial offer of £18million, rising to £25m with add-ons.

Ramsdale, signed for £24m from Sheffield United in 2021, is due to have a medical on Thursday.

He has been sought-after this summer, with Wolves also keeping tabs.

And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has a replacement lined up to be back-up to first-choice David Raya.

Espanyol’s No 1 Joan Garcia, 23, is set for an Emirates switch if the deals can be done before Friday’s deadline.

Liverpool are also said to have monitored the former Spain Under-21 star.

But Arsenal now appear to have a clear run at signing him.

Garcia was outstanding last season as Espanyol won promotion back to LaLiga.

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Arsenal are now expected to pounce for Joan Garcia[/caption]

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He’s thought to have a release clause of around £21.4m, but Arsenal are understood to have agreed a fee closer to £25m.

The Gunners could also chase a home-grown stopper – to sit behind Raya and Garcia in their list of alternatives between the sticks.

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It follows the departure on loan of Estonia ace Karl Hein to Spaniards Rayo Vallecano.

Arsenal academy product Arthur Okonkwo turned his loan move to Wrexham into a permanent move over the summer.

Wolves turned down an approach for 31-year-old Englishman Dan Bentley.

Wigan’s England Under-21 star Sam Tickle is the latest option under consideration.

Rex

Wigan’s Sam Tickle could come in at the Emirates as third-choice stopper[/caption]