Aaron Ramsdale Seals £25M Southampton Move

Aaron Ramsdale has agreed to join Southampton from Arsenal in a deal worth up to £25 million. The 26-year-old is expected to finalize the transfer before Friday’s deadline with Southampton paying an initial £18 million and an additional £7 million in potential add-ons. Ramsdale, who backed up David Raya at Arsenal played every minute of Arsenal’s 2022-23 Premier League campaign, helping them secure a second-place finish behind Manchester City.

However, after Raya arrived on loan from Brentford, Ramsdale’s role diminished leading to just six league appearances last season. Arsenal made Raya’s move permanent, further reducing Ramsdale’s chances of regular first-team action. Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed excitement about the potential signing, though he remained cautious, stating, “If it happens it’s very, very exciting. But we’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure we’ll talk about it at some point if and when it happens.”

Martin made these comments after Southampton’s thrilling 5-3 Carabao Cup second-round victory over Cardiff. Wolverhampton Wanderers also showed interest in Aaron Ramsdale but withdrew due to the high cost of the deal. Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 for £24 million made a total of 78 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Ramsdale a former Bournemouth keeper will join a Southampton side that has struggled since their promotion back to the Premier League, losing both of their opening matches 1-0 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. The club’s current goalkeeper, Alex McCarthy, 34 started both games. Ramsdale, who has five England caps, last played for the national team in June against Iceland in a pre-Euro 2024 friendly.

Southampton will face Brentford away on Saturday.