Arsenal can seal emotional reunion for star as double boost puts Edu on red alert

Arsenal sporting director Edu could be about to bring a former favourite back to the Emirates Stadium to replace Aaron Ramsdale, who is facing an uncertain future. The 26-year-old has been widely tipped to leave in search of regular minutes after slipping behind David Raya in the pecking order.

Ramsdale has been linked with several clubs over the last few months, with the likes of Newcastle and Southampton mentioned earlier in the window. He was reportedly the subject of a recent loan bid from Ajax but the proposal was said to have been turned down by Arsenal.

Nothing is believed to be imminent for Ramsdale as of yet but he is still expected to depart before the window slams shut. It will leave the Gunners needing to replace him and Edu could do far worse than to bring Wojciech Szczesny back to the club on a free transfer.

Szczesny’s contract at Juventus was recently terminated by mutual consent, meaning Arsenal would be able to sign him without paying a transfer fee. He would also count towards their tally of homegrown players, having progressed through the ranks in north London during his previous spell at the club.

The Polish goalkeeper joined Arsenal’s academy in 2006 and stayed until 2017, when he joined Juventus on a permanent deal. During his time in England, he spent one season on loan at Brentford and was later shipped out to Roma for two years before moving to Juventus.

Szczesny has retained a fond affection for the Gunners since leaving the club seven years ago and previously admitted that he would love to return to the Emirates Stadium one day.

Speaking after he was loaned to Roma in 2015, he said: “If a year ago someone had told me that I would go to Rome I would have thought it was impossible. I have been with Arsenal all my life and, I do not hide it, that is still my dream. For me, it is like a family.

“I owe so much to those people that if I were to be given a chance I would play for them. The fans here [at Roma] have always been great, I do not know what will happen. Nine months is a long time in football. Things can change from week to week.”

It remains to be seen if Arsenal will pursue a move for Szczesny in the event Ramsdale leaves the club before the end of the window. It seems likely that he would be restricted to playing in domestic cups and possibly the Champions League, with Raya set to continue as the undisputed first choice.