Arsenal’s current predicament means they aren’t going to be shopping at the top-end of the transfer market, and it does mean that any transfer is going to come with an element of risk.
One of the biggest questions for Mikel Arteta will come down to what kind of risk he actually wants to take, and the goalkeeping situation is the perfect example.
Bernd Leno has been a solid keeper over the past few years but mistakes have started to creep into his game, so it currently sounds like two of their main targets are Ajax stopper Andre Onana and Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale.
Onana is such a fascinating prospect because under usual circumstances he would be chased by the best teams in the world and he could be a top-class keeper, but he also comes with a lengthy drug ban so some patience would be needed.
While Onana is a proven player who needs a fresh start, Ramsdale is still seen by many as a prospect who could be great but he’s not at Onana’s level just now, and plenty of Arsenal fans are gutted at the prospect of signing him over the Ajax man:
https://twitter.com/bhavss14/status/1409490889219706895
Why. Are. We. Interested. In. Ramsdale. When. Onana. Is. Right. There. For. Less. Than. Half. The. Price.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) June 28, 2021
Signing Ramsdale for £20m+ over Onana for less than £10m never makes sense. Really hoping Sheffield United put us off with the fee.
— Evan Lloyd (@afcevan) June 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/afcjxmes/status/1409462669858459648
I can understand why we are (maybe) not going after Onana .
But why Ramsdale out of all people? 20m for a backup GK?!! Really!!?— Netranjit Borgohain (@Trungks32) June 28, 2021
This whole scenario with Ramsdale & Onana just proves paying more money for a player doesn’t necessarily mean you’re gonna get the better deal.
— AFCRicky®? (@Afc94Mr) June 28, 2021