Arsenal have reportedly made Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale their top target ahead of Sam Johnstone, as the Gunners line up a £30m move for the English stopper.

The North Londoners have this week been linked with a move for West Brom keeper Johnstone, with reports emerging that Mikel Arteta’s side would rival West Ham for the 28-year-old’s signature.

However, talkSPORT claims that the Gunners prefer Ramsdale over Johnstone, and are preparing to make a £30m move for the Blades keeper, aged 23.

England goalkeepers Johnstone and Ramsdale have emerged as targets for a handful of top flight clubs having each starred for the Baggies and Blades respectively despite their relegation from the Premier League in 2020-21.

Arsenal are in the market for a new stopper, amid doubts surrounding current No 1 Bernd Leno.

Arteta backed the German goalkeeper over Emi Martinez last summer, sanctioning the Argentine’s sale to Aston Villa.

Yet Martinez has thrived at Villa Park while Leno made a handful of errors at crucial points last season, leaving Gunners supporters doubtful over his credentials as the No 1 moving forwards.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Barcelona No 2 Neto, with the cash-strapped Spaniards in need of a financial boost this window.

Ramsdale has made 75 top flight appearances for United and former club Bournemouth, keeping a total of 10 clean sheets in the league across two seasons.

He joined the Blades from the Cherries for £18.5m and he has three years left on his current contract.

West Ham reportedly had a £6m bid for Johnstone rejected by the Championship club this month, while the Hammers are still understood to favour a move for Alphonse Areola over the Baggies keeper.