Journalist Dean Jones has given an update on the links between Newcastle United and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after Nick Pope’s injury.
There had been a few rumours going around that Newcastle could target Arsenal outcast Aaron Ramsdale to replace Pope in the long-term, though this was before he sustained a shoulder injury against Man United.
Jones has now revealed on the Ranks FC podcast that Ramsdale is ‘unlikely’ to leave on loan in January, but that a deal could still be made in the summer if all parties are willing.
Ramsdale has gone from hero to zero at Arsenal
Ramsdale was enjoying life at Arsenal last season where he was the main man between the sticks in the Gunners title charge that fell at the last hurdle, losing out to Man City in the final few games.
With the signing of David Raya from Brentford in the summer, however, Ramsdale’s future at the club looks in doubt and there have already been rumours about a possible departure in January.
Newcastle are one of the teams who could be a potential suitor with the club playing in the Champions League and now challenging at the top end of the Premier League, so it would be a good platform for the 25-year-old to build back his confidence.
The idea of a loan move for Ramsdale to temporarily fill in for Pope has been deemed as ‘unlikely’, but a summer move may still be on the cards if Arsenal and Newcastle can agree on a fee.
On the podcast, Jones said: “On top of that, their goalkeeper is now injured. Nick Pope is going to be out, Dubravka is going to be given a chance between the sticks at Newcastle but there’s no avoiding the fact that they’re going to have their eyes open to opportunities in the market.
“Aaron Ramsdale is going to be unlikely, why would Arsenal loan Aaron Ramsdale to Newcastle and help them out? If there was there was the potential for Ramsdale to make that move or if Ramsdale was absolutely adamant that this is what he wanted to do and Arsenal were to definitely bank £40-£50m in the summer, then fine, potentially that could be done.
“It’s been played quite heavily to me in the last 24 hours or so that that could happen.”
Newcastle have a tough decision to make in January
The biggest disappointment for Newcastle will naturally be the number of injuries they’ve sustained over the last month, but this has presented them with another problem in the January window.
Martin Dubravka is set to start for Newcastle against Everton and for the foreseeable future until Pope gets back, at least that’s the current plan for Eddie Howe.
However, if the Slovakian makes some key mistakes in these upcoming games, including the big one against AC Milan, then there will be a conversation to be had about January replacements.
Newcastle could go all out on someone like Arsenal’s Ramsdale for the long-term future to replace Pope, or they could identify a short-term replacement. In this regard, Lukasz Fabianski’s name has been mentioned, but ultimately it depends on how the rest of the month goes.
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