Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is keen for the club to sign Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale instead of Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, according to Relevo.com.

The Spanish website claims that the Gunners no.2 is his preference, having worked with him during his time at Bournemouth.

However, the Magpies’ recruitment staff have recommended Mamardashvili and there are questions about which keeper the club will end up pursuing.

Relevo report that there isn’t anything between the two targets when it comes to price. Valencia want at least €35m (£30m) for Mamardashvili while Arsenal’s stance on Ramsdale is that they don’t want to make a loss on the £30m they paid Sheffield United for the player almost three years ago.

Mamardashvili has doubts about Newcastle switch

One factor that may ultimately decide which goalkeeper the club go after is Mamardashvili’s transfer stance. He wants to be the undisputed no.1 if he leaves Valencia and he won’t get that opportunity at St James’ Park, where he will be expected to compete with Nick Pope.

Ramsdale on the other hand is simply keen on leaving Arsenal. David Raya has taken his place and the Spanish international is set to join the Gunners on a permanent basis from Brentford at the end of the season.

How do Ramsdale and Mamardashvili compare statistically?

The stats firmly favour the Valencia no.1. This season, the Georgian international has conceded 8.7 fewer goals than expected, which is the best of any keeper in La Liga. His save ratio (74.8%) is also the 6th highest.

If we compare Mamardashvili’s record to Ramsdale at Arsenal last campaign (when he was first choice), it doesn’t paint a good picture for the England international. The 26-year-old conceded 2.0 more goals than expected, putting him only 24th among Premier League keepers, and his save ratio was 70.6%; the 11th best.

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