Arsenal targeting 'excellent' star as £27m transfer decision set to force exit

Arsenal are reportedly set to target the Ajax goalkeeper Diant Ramaj as they prepare for Aaron Ramsdale to leave this summer. According to Football Transfers, the Gunners are keen to bolster their goalkeeping department this summer as they plan around the potential exit of the England international.

Mikel Arteta brought in David Raya to the mix last summer on loan from Brentford and while it was initially thought the Bees man and Ramsdale would share number one duties, it became clear very quickly that Arteta's countryman had displaced the 25-year-old ex-Bournemouth man as the preferred man between the sticks.

The Gunners are also expected to trigger the £27 million option to make Raya's move permanent at the end of the season with Ramsdale understood to be unhappy at the prospect of another season as second option. LondonWorld reported last week that Ramsdale's agents had already identified potential options for his future as he seeks more consistent game time and the latest news from Emirates now indicate that the Ajax man Diant Riamj has been selected by scouts at the North London side to replace him.

Arsenal did have no intention of selling the former Sheffield United star but the latest news surrounding Ramaj hints heavily that the former first-choice gloves man has told the boss he wants out with Chelsea and Newcastle previously linked with a move for the four-time England international.

As noted by the reports on Football Transfers, Ramaj is said to be "good on the ball which is something Mikel Arteta certainly wants. He's also excellent at long balls to the attackers and could be the perfect back-up at Arsenal."

The German 22-year-old was first spotted by the Gunners during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt. He made two Bundesliga appearances for the side before heading to the Netherlands and he has since made 16 appearances for Ajax since joining in August. The Goalkeeper has three U20 international appearances for his country and the reports suggest he could cost Arsenal around €15 million (£13m).