The goalkeeper was voted United’s player of the year last season despite relegation from the Premier League, and his performances earned him a late call-up into Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad when Dean Henderson, another former Blades goalkeeper, was forced to pull out through injury.
Ramsdale has been banned from talking about his future while on England duty by Southgate, and is understood to be happy at Bramall Lane. But that hasn’t put Arsenal off, even if they have so far baulked at United’s £40m valuation of a goalkeeper they re-signed from AFC Bournemouth last summer.
As The Star revealed this morning, United have again warned Arsenal they will not be bullied into submission after the Gunners turned their attention to West Brom’s Sam Johnstone as Mikel Arteta searches for a goalkeeper capable of challenging Bernd Leno for the No.1 spot at the Emirates.
Despite acknowledging that interest is genuine, United also believe it is a ploy to pressurise them into accepting a lower fee for Ramsdale as they reorganise their finances after being relegated.
So, should United stick or twist? We had a look at the (few) pros and (many) cons to United selling another of their brightest young players…
5. CON
If Ramsdale is sold, how would he be replaced? Another loan may do the job but if United are promoted next season, they will be scrambling around for another goalkeeper and may not fall as lucky as they did last time out with Ramsdale returning Photo: Laurence Griffiths
6. CON
Rival clubs will also be well aware of the fee United will receive if Ramsdale is sold – as will rival players. Expect the selling club’s demands for a Ramsdale replacement to suddenly increase overnight, and wage demands of players to go up as well Photo: Darren Staples
7. CON
In Ramsdale, 23, United could have their No.1 goalkeeper for the next decade and a future England No.1, as well. His understudies are not on the same level and new boss Slavisa Jokanović would prefer to focus on other areas of his squad that need work this summer Photo: Alex Pantling
8. CON
The move would be a lucrative one for the player, but would he be playing second-fiddle to German goalkeeper Bernd Leno? Arsenal fans aren’t exactly falling over themselves in praise for Ramsdale, either, so he’d be under pressure from day one if he did end up at the Emirates… Photo: Pool