Arsenal have reached an agreement with Ajax to sign goalkeeper Tommy Setfrod with Aaron Ramsdale’s future hanging in the balance.
Mikel Arteta previously tried to acquire the signature of Wolves’ ‘keeper Dan Bentley but a bid was rejected by Gary O’Neil’s side as it fell below their valuation of £1m.
According to the Athletic , the club agreed on a fee of around €1m (£859,780) plus an add-on to prize the youngster to the Emirates Stadium on an initial four-year contract.
The 18-year-old was highly thought of at Ajax and has risen through their famous academy system representing England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19, and Under-20 levels despite holding dual citizenship with the Netherlands.
Arsenal already released academy goalkeepers Ovie Ejeheri, James Hillson, and Arthur Okonkwo at the end of last season. In the senior ranks, David Raya made his loan move permanent and is likely to remain Arteta’s number-one goalkeeper.
Aaron Ramsdale decision
Ramsdale ’s future remains uncertain as he remains part of England’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad in Germany. The ex-Bournemouth man has not played a minute during the tournament and may look to leave the Gooners to secure first-team football – he made just 11 domestic appearances last season.
Newly promoted Southampton are monitoring the situation of the 26-year-old whose career has stalled since Raya took his place as number one. The Saints’ current number one is Gavin Bazuna, who was an integral part of the promotion campaign last term. Former England international Alex McCarthy, 34, was second choice – he featured nine times last season.
Ramsdale is likely to go straight into the number one spot at Saint Mary’s but the move could reignite his career including his fight for England’s number one spot which is currently occupied by Everton’s Jordan Pickford.
Speaking in October 2023, Ramsdale explained the relationship between the two shot stoppers, he said: “There are days when I come in and I’m down because of the situation and he picks me up and, for whatever reason, there might be a day where he’s down and even though I’m suffering and hurting for not playing, I have to stand up and be able to push him and make sure he’s ready if he if he’s picked to play.”
