Arsenal eye USA goalkeeper as Aaron Ramsdale heads towards exit

Arsenal are eyeing a summer deal for USA goalkeeper Patrick Schulte as they assess options should Aaron Ramsdale move from the Emirates.

Ramsdale, 25, has lost his place to summer-signing David Raya in Mikel Arteta’s team and may move for regular football that would cement his place in the England squad.

Schulte has been on Arsenal’s radar after catching the eye with Columbus Crew upon being selected in the MLS SuperDraft in 2022, breaking into their first-team since and attracting interest from European clubs.

The 23-year-old has earned a call-up to the US national team, making his debut in January against Slovenia. At Arsenal, he is seen as having a similar profile to Matt Turner, who they recruited from New England Revolution before selling him to Nottingham Forest last summer.

Arsenal have started looking at keepers as Ramsdale’s departure is a possibility, given he has been a No.1 for four seasons at Bournemouth, Sheffield United and then under Arteta before being usurped by Raya. With strong competition among England goalkeepers, playing regularly is a key consideration for those looking to feature for the national team.

Arteta moved for Raya last summer from Brentford and while it was an initial loan, his move will turn permanent at the end of the season in a deal worth around £30 million.

Aside from the fixture against his parent clubs this season, Raya has started every Premier League game after the opening four matches. And in the Champions League this week, he was the penalty shootout hero against Porto as Arsenal secured a place in the quarter-finals.

Ramsdale will be among those who could move in a hectic summer for goalkeepers where there is plenty of talent available but not many slots to fill. Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool is another No.2 who has performed well enough in the first-team to interest other clubs.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is available from Chelsea, having been loaned to Real Madrid as emergency cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois. There are also keepers threatened by relegation to the Championship this season in Everton’s Jordan Pickford and James Trafford at Burnley.

Schulte’s form in America adds him to the list of dependable keepers that European clubs have looked at. Djordje Petrovic has arrived at Chelsea from New England Revolution and impressed in his rookie season in English football.

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