Arsenal set for Man Utd transfer battle as Aaron Ramsdale changes stance on Gunners exit

Arsenal could reportedly battle Manchester United for the signing of Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte if Aaron Ramsdale leaves in the summer. Ramsdale has found himself kicking around on the sidelines following the arrival of David Raya, who has established himself as Mikel Arteta's first-choice stopper.

Ramsdale only signed a new deal at Arsenal last summer and said at the time that he didn't want to 'move around' any more, with the England goalkeeper underling his desire to 'see out' his football in north London. However, it seems that his stance on the matter has changed after being reduced to an understudy role.

The 25-year-old is assessing his options as he 'prepares to move on' from Arsenal in the summer, according to the Daily Mail. It is said that Newcastle would be interested in snapping him up, given that Eddie Howe is already familiar with him after working together at Bournemouth.

Newcastle currently have Martin Dubravka between the sticks, with Nick Pope expected to make his comeback from a shoulder injury at the end of April. Both players are the wrong side of 30 and the Magpies are thought to be keen on recruiting a younger option to provide a long-term solution.

The report adds that a move for Ramsdale could lead to Arsenal firming up their interest in Schulte, who has been linked with the Gunners since being selected in the MLS draft two years ago. He has come on leaps and bounds in recent months and was rewarded with his first international cap for the United States in January.

Arsenal are unlikely to be the only club in the race, though, with United also believed to be keeping a close eye on Schulte's development. He will be out of contract at the end of 2024, which suggests that a deal could be done at a relatively low price unless he extends his stay with the Crew.

Schulte would almost certainly go straight into a back-up role at Arsenal, with Raya having made the goalkeeping position his own since joining from Brentford last summer. He remains on loan at the Emirates Stadium but the Gunners are expected to trigger their option to buy the Spaniard at the end of the season.

Raya has missed just two games for Arsenal, both against parent club Brentford, since displacing Ramsdale as the preferred option between the sticks. He was recently the hero in Arsenal's penalty shoot-out victory over Porto in the Champions League round of 16, saving two attempts to help his side reach the quarter-finals.