Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be back in the Premier League next season despite suffering relegation with Southampton. The 27-year-old made the switch to St Mary’s Stadium last summer after losing his spot to David Raya.
Despite putting in a number of impressive individual performances, he was unable to prevent the Saints from going straight back down to the Championship as they finished bottom on just 12 points.
However, he seemingly will get the chance for redemption in England’s top-flight with interest ramping up in acquiring his services.
According to talkSPORT, Ramsdale is in talks to sign for West Ham United with Southampton set to demand £20million. The Gunners inserted a sell-on clause into his initial move and therefore any move this summer would see them earn a windfall.
Another ex-Arsenal player in Lukasz Fabianski is perhaps the reason for interest from west London with the Poland international departing at the end of his contract. Having left the Gunners as he was unhappy being second-choice, it seems likely that he would go above Alphonse Areola, who has endured a tough season, in the pecking order.
If Ramsdale does join the Hammers, it also means he will again have the chance to see his old teammates on at least two separate occasions.
Mikel Arteta is also on the hunt for a new shot-stopper with Neto, Ramsdale’s temporary replacement, returning to Bournemouth after spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal. Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is of interest but he has also been strongly linked to Barcelona and it looks as though that is where he will be going.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, it is a matter of time before the 24-year-old joins Barcelona with a five-year deal being prepared. Once that is sorted, the La Liga champions will trigger his £21million (€25m) release clause.
As Arteta’s top target is set to be off the market, alternatives will surely be identified by sporting director Andrea Berta. With David Raya clearly the No.1, whoever comes in may have to accept being the back-up option initially.
That could make finding the perfect option quite difficult and as such, it may be a job for later in the window with hope that a great opportunity will emerge. If not, one of Jack Porter, Tommy Setford or Karl Hein could find themselves firmly in the first-team picture, though the latter does see his current contract expire next month.
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