Arsenal are set for a busy summer as manager Mikel Arteta looks to complete a huge squad overhaul in the coming weeks.
The Gunners, who travel to newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day of the season, will be hoping they can make drastic improvements after they finished a measly eighth in the Premier League last term.
football.london reported back in May that the north London club planned to add at least five players to the ranks this summer, with a goalkeeper, two defenders and two midfielders all on the agenda in the coming weeks.
They have already completed the signings of talented Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares, with Brighton centre-back, Ben White also nearing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal may then turn to target a goalkeeper that can compete with German shot-stopper Bernd Leno after Australian Mat Ryan's loan deal with the club expired a few weeks ago.
Sheffield United's Aaron Ramsdale has been fiercely linked with a switch to the north London side as the Gunners reportedly are looking to add a home-grown 'keeper to their squad.
The Express reported on Tuesday that Arteta is likely to table a formal offer for the England Under-21 international in the coming weeks, with the Blades seeking a fee in the region of £20million for the youngster.
Given West Brom's Sam Johnstone and Ajax's Andre Onana are reportedly available for less than half the price of Ramsdale, Arsenal fans flocked to social media to voice their frustrations. Here's how a select number of fans reacted on Twitter to the news.
@Jookzy: "Why can’t Arsenal go for Areola? Nice and simple. None of that Ramsdale business
@mikaelhajje: "Could be up there as the worst deal in our history."
@Gabi35i: "Onana & Sam Johnstone are right there for the same price."
@RedWhite_Gooner: "He better have a brilliant first season improvement for 20m."
@ArsenalFanOffi1: "The Ramsdale links are so strange for me. He’s expensive, isn’t particularly good with his feet, and is going to be a backup. The only reason I could see it making sense is to have a homegrown player. Just seems wild to pay 20m for an average backup keeper."
The 23-year-old joined the Blades from Bournemouth for £18.5million last summer, but given they were relegated to the Championship last term they may look to cash in on the promising young 'keeper this summer.
Hale End graduate Arthur Okonkwo has been promoted to the first team and will likely be a third-choice shot-stopper next season but his inexperience has shown in the Gunners pre-season encounters with Scottish sides Hibernian and Rangers.
The 19-year-old would greatly benefit from learning his trade under the likes of Leno and Ramsdale next season.
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