Aaron would do a good job at Toon - Cole

NEWCASTLE United should sign Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale ONLY if they want to make him the club’s new No 1 this summer, according to former Magpies striker Andy Cole.

Eddie Howe has consistently been linked with a move for the out-of-favour Gunners’ shotstopper who has lost his place under Mikel Arteta following the arrival of David Raya from Brentford. Howe worked with Ramsdale when the pair were at Bournemouth, when the current Newcastle boss signed him from Sheffield United in January 2017 before making him first choice the following season.

However, United have Nick Pope already as the club’s No 1, with the former Burnley man playing a key role in last season’s Champions League qualification. The Magpies have sorely missed Pope since his shoulder injury in December and his return will be a welcome boost.

Ramsdale is thought to be ready to move in order to play first-team football next season, which raises the issue of whether Newcastle would be a suitable destination, given Pope’s current standing. And Cole feels any move should only come about if Ramsdale receives gametime assurances.

“Nine times out of ten, when a player moves to a different club, they’re meant to be their new club’s number one centre-forward, centre-half, goalkeeper,” Cole told Betfred. “If Aaron makes the move, he will be Newcastle’s number one goalkeeper.

“I think he’s been hard done by, I really do. He was so good for Arsenal last season and then all of a sudden, Mikel Arteta has gone out and got a new goalkeeper and initially claimed that he had two number ones, which was complete nonsense from day one. The way he’s disregarded Ramsdale has been really disrespectful. He’s mugged him off basically.

“If he does move on from Arsenal, then he certainly would do a good job at Newcastle.”