‘Exceptional’ Newcastle United first summer signing

Newcastle United reportedly have an agreement with the England international.
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has agreed to join Newcastle United this summer.

The England international penned a new contract at the Emirates last summer but has gone to make just 11 appearances this season following David Raya’s arrival from Brentford.

Raya is on loan from their London rivals but his move is expected to be made permanent this summer. That is likely to push Ramsdale closer to the exit door and according to Sky Sports News reporter James Green, a switch to St James’ Park is in the offing.

“I understand that Aaron Ramsdale has agreed to join Newcastle in the summer,” Green told The Highbury Squad. “That’s come direct through somebody speaking to somebody I’m close with who is close with his agent and he says it’s done, the deal is happening.

“I don’t think that will come as a surprise to many Arsenal fans if I’m being honest. I think the writing was on the wall, it was going to happen, he can’t sit there and be a backup goalkeeper he was too good for that.

“He was always going to go on to pastures new and I saw a few reports, a few other journalists talking about a backup to Raya this week and what goalkeepers might come in. The likes of Jason Steele at Brighton were mentioned and I think he’d actually be a very good number two.

“I don’t think that will come as a surprise to many Arsenal fans if I’m being honest. I think the writing was on the wall, it was going to happen, he can’t sit there and be a backup goalkeeper he was too good for that.

“He was always going to go on to pastures new and I saw a few reports, a few other journalists talking about a backup to Raya this week and what goalkeepers might come in. The likes of Jason Steele at Brighton were mentioned and I think he’d actually be a very good number two.

Newcastle’s No.1 goalkeeper Nick Pope has missed the majority of the campaign with a shoulder injury but could make his first start in five months at Brentford on Sunday.

Martin Dubravka, who has deputised for Pope, has been linked with an exit while Loris Karius will depart when his contract expires at the end of June.

Speaking previously about Ramsdale’s future, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody.