Arsenal agree to sign Ramsdale from Sheffield United

Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle with Sheffield United for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale worth an initial £24m.

The fee could rise by another £6m in add-ons depending on whether Ramsdale becomes the Gunners’ long-term No 1.

Ramsdale has been on boss Mikel Arteta’s radar this summer, having originally joined Sheffield United from Bournemouth in 2020.

Bournemouth are entitled to a 15 per cent sell on of anything over £19m, and the 23-year-old’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium would likely see back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson be allowed to leave the club.

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic refused to comment on Ramsdale’s future and his potential move to Arsenal, after leaving the goalkeeper out of his squad facing West Brom .

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“We felt he was not ready for the game,” Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic said.

“We took the decision not to use him for the game.

“He’s simply not in the right state of the mind. We prefer not to complicate things and start with Mike (Verrips).”