Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been a long-term target for Premier League giants Arsenal during the summer transfer window. 

Ramsdale has been with the Blades since 2020, and made 45 appearances in total for them, and caught the eye with some strong performances last term, as they had an average Whoscored rating of 6.55 from the 2020/21 season.

The goalkeeper started Sheffield United's first league match of the 2021/22 campaign, although they tasted defeat against Birmingham City at Bramall Lane.

Arsenal have been keen admirers of the 23-year-old, but it's recently been reported that both teams couldn't agree on a fee for Ramsdale's services, which has left the shot-stopper 'gutted', according to The Sun's Tom Barclay. 

Speaking in a recent interview (quotes sourced from the Yorkshire Post), Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic expressed his eagerness to keep Ramsdale at Bramall Lane this summer, although the situation could potentially be out of his hands at this stage of the transfer window.

“I didn’t come here to sell my best players. I have zero intention of selling him but if something happens, and a Championship team like Sheffield United cannot say no (to a substantial bid), then I must accept that situation.

“If you ask would I be happy, no. I’d prefer he stayed. I am talking with Aaron, I explained my position. He accepted my words in a good way and I am thinking about him as my first choice.

“I knew it was a possibility (he could be sold) when I signed the contract but if it was in my hands, he would stay with us. But I don’t have this level of power (to reject bids). Everything is open.

“One part of the game is business. I am more a fan of the game than business but I must be a part of the business too.”

Sheffield United are set to return to action on Saturday evening, when they take on Swansea City, and it remains to be seen as to whether Ramsdale will be involved in the matchday squad for the clash against Russell Martin's side.

The Verdict: 

It'll be an interesting few weeks ahead for Jokanovic and Ramsdale.

He was one of the few players to come away with some credit to their name in a hugely disappointing league campaign last term, as Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League.

Arsenal are in need of adding depth to their goalkeeping options this summer, and Ramsdale could be the ideal player to challenge Bernd Leno for his starting spot in their team.

But with it being widely reported that both clubs are well apart in their valuation of the shot-stopper, and so it'll be interesting to see whether a deal can be agreed between now and the end of the summer transfer window, with Ramsdale reportedly being 'gutted' over a deal being far off at this stage.