ARSENAL HAVE FOURTH DEAL READY TO BE COMPLETED AS AARON RAMSDALE CLOSES IN ON EXIT

Southampton are closing in on a £25m deal for Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Newly-promoted Saints have made a fresh offer of a permanent switch with an £18m deal plus major add-ons for the England international. Ramsdale’s potential exit from the Emirates also opens the door for Arsenal to sign Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Wolves saw a loan deal fall through for Ramsdale but Southampton have maintained their interest and are now looking to press ahead with a beat-the-deadline switch. Ramsdale is a huge favourite with Arsenal fans but lost his place to David Raya and now wants to move to get more regular games which will boost his international future.

Arsenal are expected to push ahead with a swoop for goalkeeper Garcia after agreeing to sell Ramsdale to Southampton. Sources close to the Spaniard say they're prepared to make a move happen late in the window - if they're presented the opportunity to broker a deal.

But there is concern about the shortage of time with the clock now ticking ahead of Friday's deadline and any transfer is expected to go the wire. Arsenal might even have to meet the player's release clause to speed up the process which is still believed to be worth £21m, according to sources.

The Olympic gold medalist was also handed a starting berth for the La Liga side on Tuesday evening in their match against Atletico Madrid - suggesting no move is imminent, for now at least.

However, Arsenal are already believed to have reached an agreement in principle with Garcia on personal terms in anticipation that Ramsdale would depart north London. The sticking point is whether Espanyol are willing to negotiate below Garcia's release clause or whether they demand the figure.

Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez recently said: "He is a very good goalkeeper, I am calm when he plays.

"I don't know about the transfer market, although I hope he doesn't leave. What the club tells me is that he should not leave unless a club comes and nothing can be done. He is a great goalkeeper, but the level of the goalkeepers I have is very high."

The Gunners have already added young goalkeeper Tommy Setford to their ranks this summer from Ajax. The 18-year-old signed a four-year contract in north London.

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2024-08-28T20:10:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd