Emiliano Martinez, the current goalkeeper for Aston Villa, recently commented on the situation involving Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale. Martinez suggested that Ramsdale should consider moving to another club where he feels more appreciated and valued. Ramsdale, who was once Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, has seen his playing time significantly reduced since the arrival of David Raya last summer. Raya’s acquisition initially sparked debate among fans and pundits, but it ultimately proved to be a successful move for Arsenal, as Raya went on to win the Premier League Golden Glove for the 2023/24 season. This development left Ramsdale on the sidelines, with his future at the club now uncertain.
As a result of his diminished role, Ramsdale has been linked with several other clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Southampton. Of these clubs, Southampton had been considering a move for Ramsdale but has now shifted their attention to Justin Bijlow, the goalkeeper for Feyenoord. Southampton’s interest in Bijlow appears to be strong, as they are reportedly close to finalizing his transfer. Meanwhile, Wolves, while not in desperate need of a new goalkeeper, may consider bringing in Ramsdale if the opportunity presents itself, especially as an upgrade over their current option, José Sá.
In his remarks, Martinez, who is also a former Arsenal goalkeeper, expressed empathy for Ramsdale’s situation. He acknowledged that Ramsdale had joined Arsenal with high hopes and quickly established himself as the team’s number-one goalkeeper. However, Martinez stressed the importance of Ramsdale finding a club where he can feel valued and appreciated, especially given his talent and potential to be a key player for England’s national team. He hinted that a move to a club like Wolves could be a good fit for Ramsdale, allowing him to play regularly and continue developing his career.
Martinez also spoke about Aston Villa’s ambitions for the upcoming season. Despite the team’s impressive fourth-place finish last season, which earned them a spot in the Champions League, Martinez is realistic about their chances of challenging Manchester City or Arsenal for the Premier League title. He noted that Villa has sold some important players, which could make it difficult to compete at the very highest level. Instead, Martinez suggested that the team might focus on having a strong run in domestic cup competitions, such as the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, as a more achievable goal.
On the other hand, Southampton’s pursuit of Justin Bijlow seems to be advancing quickly. Bijlow, who was Feyenoord’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2023/24 season, has seen less playing time due to injuries and has been overtaken by Timon Wellenreuther in the pecking order. Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Southampton and Feyenoord have reached a verbal agreement for Bijlow’s transfer, with final details being worked out before the Dutch goalkeeper travels to England for his medical tests. This development suggests that Southampton has moved on from their interest in Ramsdale, focusing instead on securing Bijlow as their new goalkeeper.
