Aaron Ramsdale: Everything Mikel Arteta said about Everton target as move eyed

Aaron Ramsdale is reportedly a target for Everton this summer as they look to find a reliable back-up for Jordan Pickford.

Mark Travers is reportedly keen to leave Hill Dickinson Stadium in the coming weeks after making just two appearances this season.

Ramsdale spent the season on loan at Newcastle United from Southampton, and managed to briefly usurp Nick Pope.

The Magpies ultimately opted against a permanent deal and the 28-year-old's return has allowed Everton an opportunity to sign the goalkeeper that Mikel Arteta piled praise on.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper has seen his career dramatically change in recent years, and now likely wants to find a more permanent home.

Everything Mikel Arteta has said about Aaron Ramsdale

Arsenal signed Ramsdale from Sheffield United in 2021, in a move that shocked the Premier League.

The goalkeeper had gone down with the Blades and was known for several high-profile blunders, but the Gunners were convinced enough to pay up to £30million.

But Ramsdale's next two seasons were hugely memorable and are likely still what is driving Everton transfer chief's interest.

The England international shocked everyone, representing the perfect goalkeeper for Arteta's progressive system.

And it was not just his ability on the ball - the former Bournemouth man made several staggeringly good saves throughout his opening seasons.

However, the backend of the 2022-23 season saw mistakes start to seep into Ramsdale's game, and the summer saw the arrival of David Raya.

The Spaniard quickly became the first choice and has gone on to win three consecutive golden gloves since, while the man he replaced left in 2024.

Ramsdale remains a key part of the project that ultimately ended Arsenal's 22-year wait for the Premier League title this season, however, and Arteta's comments reveal as much.

"I watched him a lot and that presence and that energy he had, I thought this is the one," he said in 2023.

"He has been really, really good and probably against the odds because when you look at his past and where he was coming from, he got relegated twice, it was difficult to imagine it.

"But we saw he had that character, charisma and personality to play for our club and he had the potential qualities to feed into our way of playing.

"When you see the development he had the past two seasons, I think he is exceptional. The first day I was on the phone to him, I said: ‘Let’s do it, let’s do it’. Because you have that feeling, you sense when someone is mentally [strong]."

Everton must make promises if they are to convince Ramsdale

Ramsdale has spoken before about his desire to compete and play at the top level.

The goalkeeper ultimately left Arsenal because the task to surpass Raya had become almost impossible.

At Newcastle, there was more of a chance for the 28-year-old, but Pickford is far less of a surmountable figure.

If Everton are to sign Ramsdale this summer, he will likely need assurances that he will not have the same experience as Travers.