Arsenal complete £30m move for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale has completed his £30million move from Sheffield United to Arsenal.

Ramsdale has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at the Emirates and joins up with his new team-mates just a game into the new Premier League campaign.

The 23-year-old has been a target for boss Mikel Arteta throughout the summer and the Spaniard has finally been granted his wish after bringing in a new goalkeeper to compete with current No 1 Bernd Leno.

Ramsdale has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at his new club and was a long-term target

Sportsmail understands the initial transfer fee is around £24m with £6m to be paid in add-ons depending on if he eventually forces Leno out of the first team.

Confirming that Ramsdale has left for north London, Sheffield United confirmed that an offer was accepted and labelled it as ‘head-turning’. The stopper himself also ‘highlighted his desire to further his career’.

They also revealed, as was reported by Sportsmail, that a number of bids from Arsenal were rebuffed before an agreement was reached. 

Mikel Arteta (left) and director of football Edu (right) are pictured with new arrival Ramsdale

Ramsdale enjoyed his first training session at Arsenal on Friday after completing his switch

Blades manager Slavisa Jokanovic didn’t select Ramsdale for his side’s Championship clash with West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night, saying he was ‘simply not in the right state of mind’ to play. 

‘We felt he was not ready for the game,’ Blades boss Jokanovic told Sky Sports. ‘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).’

Speaking after United’s 4-0 defeat by West Brom, Jokanovic added: ‘The deal is not complete but it’s agreed between the clubs. I believe the agreement is close to being done but it can be soon. 

Sheffield United confirmed that a ‘head-turning’ offer for stopper Ramsdale was accepted

Gunners manager Arteta has been looking to bring in an additional goalkeeper all summer

‘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.’

Arsenal have opted for a British-based goalkeeper to join the club after initially looking at Ajax’s Andre Onana, with Ramsdale and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone both heavily linked.

The Gunners have already seen two bids for the Englishman rejected, and will hope that this is a case of third time lucky as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad before the window shuts.

Arsenal started the season poorly on Friday night in the Premier League’s opening game after they were beaten 2-0 at new boys Brentford.

Ramsdale is pictured meeting Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana Pavon during a session

The move heightens competition for the No 1 jersey currently held by Bernd Leno

The Gunners faced heavy criticism for their defending during the encounter, in particular the second goal where Leno and his defenders allowed the ball to bounce in the six-yard box from a throw-in before conceding.

Jamie Carragher labelled Arsenal’s performance ‘weak’, opining that the top-flight newcomers ‘bullied’ their more established rivals at the Brentford Community Stadium.

‘How do you describe Arsenal’s defending here? It’s just Arsenal. Weak, bullied, men against boys again. New season same old story,’ he said on commentary duty for Sky Sports.

‘Spurs have it that people say it’s “Spursy”. I think it’s about time Arsenal have something like that as well. Because this is just an Arsenal performance. Everyone knows what that means; an Arsenal performance.’

But Arsenal have now moved and also look set to add Martin Odegaard to the list of summer arrivals that already includes Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.

Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic confirmed a deal has been agreed between them and Arsenal

Ajax keeper Andre Onana (left) and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone were also considered