Aaron Ramsdale makes his way to Bramall Lane ahead of Sheffield United return

The AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper, who started his career with Chris Wilder’s side before moving south three years ago, has agreed to negotiate the terms and conditions of his contract in person with the United manager rather than via a video conferencing call.

Although the exact details of the deal remain a closely guarded secret, The Star understands United have paid around £10m to acquire Ramsdale’s services after the player told Bournemouth he wanted to rejoin the club he left in 2017.

Wilder, who has continued to track Ramsdale’s progress since reluctantly agreeing to sell him midway through United’s League One title winning campaign, made his move after growing increasingly frustrated by the progress of talks with Manchester United aimed at renewing Dean Henderson’s loan.

Henderson, who like Ramsdale has been capped by England at under-21 level, is now expected to remain at Old Trafford and compete to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number one rather than spend the season with United as initially planned.

Ramsdale, aged 22, was a rare success story at The Vitality Stadium last term; appearing in all but one of Bournemouth’s Premier League fixtures as they were relegated to the Championship. United, who finished ninth in the table only a season after being promoted, have privately continued to monitor his progress over the past 12 months and resolved to consolidate their interest when Eddie Howe, who was replaced by Jason Tindall earlier this month, parted his company with Bournemouth by mutual consent. Officials at Bramall Lane feared Ramsdale’s value would soar if Tindall led his employers straight back to the top-flight and, with many within the game predicting he is destined to win senior international honours, that offers from the country’s heavyweight names would put them out of the market.

Barring any unforeseen complications, Ramsdale will become the second goalkeeper United have signed this summer, following Wes Foderingham’s arrival on a free transfer after leaving Rangers.

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