SOUTHAMPTON have agreed a fee with Arsenal over a permanent deal for keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The Saints reignited their interest in the Gunners‘ England stopper, 26, after their deal for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow collapsed due to a failed medical.
Arsenal rejected a loan approach from Southampton this month but the South Coast club have returned with an initial offer of £18million, rising to £25m with add-ons.
Ramsdale, signed for £24m from Sheffield United in 2021, is due to have a medical on Thursday.
He has been sought-after this summer, with Wolves also keeping tabs.
And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has a replacement lined up to be back-up to first-choice David Raya.
Espanyol’s No 1 Joan Garcia, 23, is set for an Emirates switch if the deals can be done before Friday’s deadline.
Liverpool are also said to have monitored the former Spain Under-21 star.
But Arsenal now appear to have a clear run at signing him.
Garcia was outstanding last season as Espanyol won promotion back to LaLiga.
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He’s thought to have a release clause of around £21.4m, but Arsenal are understood to have agreed a fee closer to £25m.
The Gunners could also chase a home-grown stopper – to sit behind Raya and Garcia in their list of alternatives between the sticks.
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It follows the departure on loan of Estonia ace Karl Hein to Spaniards Rayo Vallecano.
Arsenal academy product Arthur Okonkwo turned his loan move to Wrexham into a permanent move over the summer.
Wolves turned down an approach for 31-year-old Englishman Dan Bentley.
Wigan’s England Under-21 star Sam Tickle is the latest option under consideration.
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Chelsea have reportedly made a sensational move to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Liverpool are also eyeing a cut-price deal for Juventus outcast Federico Chiesa.
Meanwhile, Saudi club Al Ahli have submitted an initial bid of £55million to Napoli for Chelsea target Victor Osimhen.
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