Newcastle United eye move for £30m Arsenal star in potential Eddie Howe reunion

Newcastle United will turn their attention to an out-of-favour Arsenal star this summer as they aim to boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League club once again next term.

The Metro understands that Magpies manager Eddie Howe is a huge fan of England international Aaron Ramsdale who has struggled for game time in North London this season.

Howe signed Ramsdale when he was manager of Bournemouth in 2017 for a fee in the region of £800,000. After two successful loan spells at Chesterfield and Wimbledon, Ramsdale became the first choice goalkeeper for the Cherries in a season which disappointingly ended in relegation.

Ramsdale would be sold for a hugely profitable £18.5m after Howe’s departure in 2020 and both parties have since gone on to achieve success in the Premier League.

Ramsdale’s first notable contribution at Arsenal came when he replaced Bernd Leno as the number one in the 2021/22 campaign, and last season proved even more successful as he earned himself a place in the PFA Team of the Season.

The 25-year-old’s shot stopping abilities and his ability to sweep up play has won him plaudits throughout European football and many were surprised by the arrival of David Raya from Brentford last summer.

However, since the Spainard’s arrival at the club, it has proven to be a very difficult season for Ramsdale, who has been limited to nine appearances all season - heavily reducing his chances of starting for England in the upcoming European Championships.

Ramsdale is keen to revive his England hopes and a potential reunion with Howe could prove fruitful for both parties, particularly with Newcastle’s recent defensive struggles this season.

The Magpies, who were formidable defensively last season, currently have one of the worst defensive records in England in recent months - managing just two clean sheets in all competitions since the start of December when Nick Pope picked up a long term injury.

One of the key areas current goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has struggled with has been his pace in coming out of his goal, with the Magpies often playing a high line, and this in turn has led to the team being much more open than the one that boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League just 12 months ago.

The Daily Mail understands Arsenal are looking for upwards of £30m for Ramsdale, who is a much younger alternative to both Pope and Dubravka.