Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has reportedly emerged as a January target for Wolverhampton Wanderers, who want the Englishman on loan with an option to buy.
After his 2021 arrival was met with scathing criticism by sections of the Arsenal fanbase, Ramsdale has won Gooners over during the past couple of seasons, playing an integral role in their unexpected title charge last term.
However, with Mikel Arteta keen to increase competition in all areas of the field, Ramsdale's status as undisputed number one came under threat this summer, as the Gunners poached David Raya from Brentford on loan with a £27m option to buy.
Ramsdale initially kept Raya on the bench for the first few weeks of the season, but the Spaniard was promoted to the first XI following the September international break and appears to have cemented himself as Arteta's first choice.
As a result, Ramsdale has been restricted to just three appearances since Raya's debut, two of which came against the Brentford man's parent club - whom he is ineligible to play against - and one versus West Ham United in a 3-1 EFL Cup loss.
© Reuters
Ramsdale kept two clean sheets in back-to-back 1-0 wins over Brentford, including in Saturday's Premier League affair, but he was highly fortunate not to be punished for two howlers in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United shot-stopper firstly dallied on the ball inside his own box but was saved by Declan Rice, who cleared Bryan Mbeumo's shot off the line, before an inexplicable throw into the ground later in the opening 45.
Ramsdale's father recently came out and confessed that his son had "lost his smile" at the Emirates in the wake of his demotion to second choice, and with Euro 2024 on the horizon, an exit is being strongly mooted.
According to the Daily Star, Wolves are keen to bring the 25-year-old to Molineux midway through the season as they prepare for the possible departure of Jose Sa, who is supposedly being targeted by the Saudi Pro League.
Sa only penned a new long-running contract back in September, and his terms run until 2027 with the option of an additional 12 months, but there is said to be a consensus that he will jet off to the Gulf state in January.
© Reuters
Head coach Gary O'Neil is reportedly happy to part ways with Sa as long as the club's £35m asking price is met, and Ramsdale has been earmarked as Wolves' top target for a successor.
Given their need to balance the books, Wolves would supposedly want to strike an initial loan deal with Arsenal, before Ramsdale's move to Molineux is made permanent in the summer window.
Wolves chiefs are supposedly confident that Ramsdale - who was born in Stoke-on-Trent - could be tempted to move back closer to home, and he will only fight for his place at Arsenal if he is guaranteed first-team football.
Ramsdale has kept 32 clean sheets in 86 matches for Arsenal over the past two years, and like Sa, the 25-year-old also penned fresh terms with his current club earlier this year.
Ramsdale's Emirates contract expires in 2026, although Arsenal also possess a 12-month extension option, and both Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been tipped to move for the England international in 2024.
Ben Knapton
