Arsenal are finally closing in on the signing of Aaron Ramsdale.
The Sheffield United stopper was left out of the Blades’ lineup for their Championship showdown with West Brom after negotiations between the two sides took a major step forward on Wednesday.
Ramsdale, 23, has been Mikel Arteta’s No.1 target between the sticks this summer, with the Spaniard keen to bring in someone to compete with Bernd Leno - amid continued uncertainty over his long-term future.
But the Gunners had struggled to reach common ground over a potential transfer fee - the Championship club had initially been asking £40million for a player who they paid £18million for in 2020 - until this week.
Despite Slavisa Jokanovic’s insistence this week that he didn’t want to part with his No.1 - “not even for £100million” - negotiations between the two parties have moved quickly in the last 24 hours.
The Gunners are finalising an agreement which will see them part with a fee in the region of £25million initially to finally bring in Ramsdale, with another £6million in potential add-ons, as first reported by The Athletic.
Ramsdale was replaced in goal by the Blades by Michael Verrips for their clash at the Hawthorns.
Speaking after his side's 4-0 loss to the Baggies, Jokanovic said: "It's not really what I want but it's difficult to stop this kind of situation. It's a huge deal for the club."
The agreement for Ramsdale comes with Arsenal also on the verge of announcing Martin Odegaard’s return from Real Madrid.
The Norwegian playmaker, 22, spent the second half of last season on loan in North London but had returned to Spain in a bid to fight for his place.
However, with Odegaard not part of Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team plans, he is heading back in an initial £30million deal.
He was at the club’s London Colney training ground on Wednesday where personal terms were agreed.
The Gunners are aiming to have both players registered by midday on Friday, so that they are available for Sunday’s game against Chelsea.
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