Serie A giants AC Milan are reportedly the latest team to show an interest in signing unsettled Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth man is expected to push for a move away from the Emirates after losing his number one status to David Raya earlier this season.
Ramsdale was awarded a new contract until 2026 at the end of the 2022-23 season, in which he kept 14 Premier League clean sheets - only behind Golden Glove winner David de Gea - as Arsenal placed second in the rankings.
The England international started the 2023-24 campaign in between the sticks, but since Raya displaced him after the September international break, Ramsdale has spent most gameweeks sitting on the Gunners bench.
As such, the 25-year-old has made just 10 appearances for Mikel Arteta's team in all tournaments this term, last playing in the Premier League in November during a 1-0 success over Brentford, when Raya could not face his parent club.
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Raya's loan deal from Brentford is expected to be made permanent for around £27m this summer, and Ramsdale is at serious risk of missing out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad owing to his lack of minutes.
Rumours surrounding a January exit to either Chelsea or Bayern Munich led to nowhere, as Arsenal were unwilling to sanction winter bids, but Ramsdale will have a big decision to make this summer if he continues to play second fiddle to Raya.
Chelsea have apparently decided to withdraw their interest in the 25-year-old, but according to journalist Ekrem Konur, Milan could offer Ramsdale an alternative escape route at the end of the season.
The Rossoneri will apparently consider making a bid for the England international if they fail to retain the services of Mike Maignan, who replaced Gianluigi Donnarumma as their number one in 2021.
Maignan won the Serie A title in his first season at San Siro, but his contract only runs for another two years, and he was the victim of despicable racist abuse in a clash with Udinese in January.
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After ending their interest in Ramsdale, Chelsea could turn their attention to Maignan as they pursue a new number one, and Arsenal will likely be open to offers for the former if they can capture a replacement.
Sunderland's Anthony Patterson and Ajax's Diant Ramaj have been named a possible targets for Arsenal, whose other goalkeeping options include 21-year-old Karl Hein and 22-year-old Arthur Okonkwo, currently on loan at Wrexham.
Ramsdale's signing at Arsenal was met with raised eyebrows and social media vitriol due to his previous relegations, but the Englishman quickly won over the Gunners fanbase with a collection of acrobatic saves and entertaining antics.
Ramsdale has 32 shut-outs to show from 88 matches for Arsenal and has won one trophy in the form of the 2023 Community Shield, saving from Manchester City's Rodri in the Gunners' penalty-shootout success over the treble winners.
Ben Knapton
