MAX SPORTS: Aaron Ramsdale

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Friday, 27 September 2024

ARSENAL'S JACK PORTER, 16, BECOMES CLUB'S YOUNGEST-EVER STARTER

Jack Porter travelled with the Arsenal squad for their Champions League opener against Atalanta. Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Jack Porter became Arsenal's youngest-ever player to start a first-team game when the 16-year-old goalkeeper made his debut in a 5-1 win over Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

At 16 years, 72 days old, Porter surpassed club icon Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, 177 days when he started against Rotherham in October 2003.

Porter was selected in place of first choice David Raya, who was ruled out with a thigh injury, Arsenal said. Raya left Etihad Stadium with a bandage around his right knee after picking up an injury in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

With Neto -- a summer loan signing from Bournemouth -- cup-tied and 18-year-old understudy Tommy Setford also injured, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called on Porter, who only turned 16 in July.

Porter has trained with the first team on a few occasions previously and was named among the substitutes for last week's Champions League trip to Atalanta which ended 0-0.

He only signed scholarship terms with the Gunners in the summer and cannot agree a professional contract until next year when he turns 17.

As ESPN reported on deadline day, Arsenal attempted to sign two goalkeepers late in the window, having allowed Aaron Ramsdale to join Southampton in a permanent deal and Karl Hein to move to Real Valladolid on loan.

After securing Neto's arrival, they explored a deal for Joan García at Espanyol while also making an approach for Wolves' Dan Bentley but were unable to secure an agreement.

Arteta rotated his side for the game against Bolton with youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly among those included, while Raheem Sterling made his first start after arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Nwaneri, who scored twice against Bolton, holds the record as the youngest player to represent Arsenal's first team after coming on as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days in September 2022.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

Thursday, 29 August 2024

SOUTHAMPTON SIGNING AARON RAMSDALE FROM ARSENAL - SOURCES

Southampton have agreed a fee of £25 million including add-ons for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, sources told ESPN.

The 26-year-old is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday and finalise personal terms.

Sources added that the fee consists of an initial £18 million with a further £1 million due if Saints avoid relegation from the Premier League and the remaining £6 million based on individual performance targets.

The Gunners are expected to move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García as Ramsdale's replacement, although sources have told ESPN the LaLiga club will demand a fee in excess of €20 million.

Ramsdale fell out of favour at Arsenal after the club moved to sign David Raya from Brentford last summer, initially on loan for £3 million before making the deal permanent in July for a further £27 million.

Bournemouth showed an interest in Ramsdale but opted to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea while Southampton were close to signing Justin Bijlow until the Feyenoord goalkeeper failed a medical.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

Thursday, 18 July 2024

ARSENAL BOOK INTUITIVE WONDERKID IN FOR MEDICAL AFTER REACHING FULL AGREEMENT

Tommy Setford’s style of play is based on ‘intuition’ (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have reportedly booked ‘intuitive’ Ajax star Tommy Setford in for medical tests after the Gunners reached a full agreement for the youngster.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper, who has played in England’s youth ranks, is set to become Mikel Arteta’s new third choice option and will sign a four-year deal.

Arsenal have agreed a fee with Dutch club Ajax worth around €1 million (£869,000) and he will now complete a medical, according to fresh reports.

Setford, who has bags of potential and seems set for a massive future in football, has previously explained how he bases his style of play on ‘intuition’.

‘Charlie is a very different goalkeeper than I am,’ Setford told the Ajax website in December when quizzed about his brother, who also plays for the Eredivisie side.

‘We have similarities, of course, but he plays much more calculated. On the other hand, I play more based on intuition.

‘Nevertheless, I often make the right choice when I’m in goal. It’s not like we analyse each other’s matches at home. We acknowledge when the other has played well, but that’s all.’

Arsenal have already made a number of goalkeeping changes ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, as they once again look to push Manchester City for the title.

The north Londoners have completed a permanent deal for No.1 ‘keeper David Raya from Brentford on a long-term contract after his season-long loan.

No.2 ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, has been deemed surplus to requirements and has attracted interest from Newcastle United and Southampton.

Legendary Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman has urged Ramsdale to leave the Emirates and find himself a new club.

‘I’ve always said Aaron is too good to be a number two,’ Seaman said. ‘He’s a fantastic player. He needs to play. Wherever that is, I don’t know.

‘It’s a weird situation. Ideally, you’d love him to stay because that would be great for the club.

‘But he needs to move for his career. And that includes England because, if he’s not playing, he’ll keep dropping down the pecking order with them.’

- Liam Grace