Darren Bent insists Aaron Ramsdale would start ahead of Nick Pope as the number one if he signed for Newcastle United. The Arsenal goalkeeper's future is the subject of transfer speculation, with the England international losing his starting spot to summer signing David Raya.
Mikel Arteta has played down the prospect of Ramsdale leaving in January in order to cement his place in the England squad for Euro 2024 next summer. The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United shot-stopper has been restricted to Carabao Cup appearances since September, and Gareth Southgate admits a lack of playing time will count against the goalkeeper in the long term.
Ramsdale has been called up for the Three Lions' final Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, with Pope again not included in the squad. Bent claimed the Arsenal star would start for Newcastle ahead of Pope, among a host of other Premier League sides, while also questioning why the Gunners would be open to his mid-season departure.
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He told talkSPORT: "This is where the sticky point is because when you look at the league table, and you start thinking about Aaron Ramsdale, I think he can pretty much go not everywhere but there are a lot of clubs out there I believe he's better than their goalkeeper now. [Tottenham], I'd say Villa is a no, Martinez is a good goalkeeper.
"Newcastle, I'd have him over Pope. I think he's better than Onana, it's opinion isn't it? I think he's better than West Ham's goalkeepers."
When fellow presenter Andy Goldstein threw Chelsea into the mix, Bent added: "We've just named four clubs like that where he's better. I don't understand why you'd want him to go and make your rivals in and around you better."
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