Mikel Arteta has been speaking about goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, a player recently linked with a move to Wolves.
It was recently reported that Wanderers could move for the England international in January, with Jose Sa apparently a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia.
There wasn’t too much speculation about Sa. But it was claimed Wolves could ask for around £40 million, and with the Saudi league looking to grow its profile, you would not bet against such money being thrown around.
Supposedly Ramsdale is of interest to Wolves in case of any Sa exit, but Arteta’s comments today do cast considerable doubt on anything happening next month…
Mikel Arteta says Aaron Ramsdale wants to stay at Arsenal amid Wolves links
Arteta was speaking ahead of his side’s game with Luton Town tonight.
In recent times, £120,000-a-week star Ramsdale has lost his starting berth in the Arsenal team, with David Raya replacing him between the sticks.
This has led to speculation about Ramsdale potentially leaving the club, but it doesn’t appear he particularly wants to and is ‘willing’ to fight.
Arteta said (90min): “I want Aaron with us. I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us.
“He’s willing to play. Like any player, he wants to play for Arsenal. That’s what he wants to do. Then [playing for England] is a consequence. And as well for England it’s not like he has started a lot of games, so hopefully we can help him be better here so then he can play for England.”
But in football, you can rarely say ‘never’.
Ramsdale may want to stay put, but that seemingly does not mean Arsenal wouldn’t want to sell if the right offer came in. Arteta added: “I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years. I won’t say it.”
90min do mention Wolves’ interest in the player, with the club having been monitoring the player’s situation.
Ramsdale would be a great Sa replacement, but it’s not happening
So it looks as though Ramsdale is highly likely to stay put at the Emirates Stadium.
It was unlikely that he would make a move to Wolves anyway, as Jose Sa only just signed a new contract at the club. But it seems the stopper wants to stay and fight for the number one jersey at Arsenal, at least for now.
Perhaps Arsenal will listen to offers for him, but it’s difficult to see one coming in from Wolves.
Sa may have been linked with a move to Saudi, but it would be a major surprise if he ended up making that move mid-season.
You can never say never – who would have predicted Ruben Neves would have gone to the Saudi Pro League?
But we are now mid-season and it’s probably very unlikely Gary O’Neil will be wanting a change of goalkeeper.