Former Bolton Wanderers youngster Aaron Ramsdale is close to completing an £18.5million move back to Sheffield United from relegated Bournemouth.

It is understood the Blades have had a second offer reluctantly accepted by the Cherries and 22-year-old goalkeeper is only formalities away from completing a return to Bramall Lane.

The Stoke-born keeper was let go by Wanderers aged 15 before being picked up by the South Yorkshire club.

Bournemouth signed Ramsdale from the Blades for £800,000 in 2017, with the England Under-21 international making 37 senior appearances for the Cherries.

The Vitality Stadium club rejected the Blades’ initial bid in the region of £12m for Ramsdale, with the Cherries understood to be under no pressure financially or otherwise to sell.

Ramsdale, though, is thought to have had his head set on a move back to his former Bramall Lane stomping ground, with the Blades keen to recruit a first-choice keeper after loan star Dean Henderson’s return to parent club Manchester United.

Chris Wilder steered the Blades to a hugely-impressive ninth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Bournemouth had initially hoped to hold onto Ramsdale despite their five-year top-flight stay coming to an end.

However, once he confirmed his desire to return to his first club, the Cherries board set about agreeing an acceptable fee.

Speaking last October, Ramsdale said: “There’s a lot of rejection as a young kid, obviously getting released at Bolton – being too small and couldn’t kick.

“But that could possibly be the best thing which ever happened to me. It gave me the backbone and the toughness to never say die.”