Aaron Ramsdale offered Premier League lifeline as Arsenal set transfer plan

Southampton are eyeing up a move to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer, it has been reported. The 26-year-old is open to leaving the Emirates in search of regular game time after losing his place to David Raya.

Ramsdale started the first four Premier League matches last season before Raya displaced him after the first international break. In fact, Ramsdale made just two top-flight appearances after that point, with both coming against Brentford when Raya was unavailable to feature due to an agreement in his loan contract.

The ex-Bournemouth and Sheffield United ‘keeper featured in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, as well as played once in the Champions League during the dead-rubber against PSV back in December. He ended the campaign having played just 11 first-team games. Many felt his lack of minutes would put him out of contention for a place in the England squad at Euro 2024, but Ramsdale managed to find his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Despite this, his club future is still uncertain. According to The Sun, Southampton have joined the race to sign Ramsdale, who is eager to get first-team football next season. There is an anticipation that he could get that at Saints following their promotion to the Premier League, with Gavin Bazunu out until 2025 with an Achilles injury, leaving Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley as their only fit senior goalkeepers.

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It’s claimed Arsenal would love to keep Ramsdale as second-choice to Raya but understand his situation. If Ramsdale does leave this summer, the Gunners prefer a permanent deal and would want close to the £30million they agreed to pay Sheffield United for him in 2021. But if no club matches their asking price, they could allow Ramsdale to go out on loan in the hope his performances would generate a huge fee in the future.

Speaking on his future last month, Ramsdale told talkSPORT: “No footballer wants to not play. I’ve had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again.”

Having spent last season on loan in north London, Raya made his loan move permanent earlier in July, signing a long-term contract with Arsenal paying in the region of £27m to Brentford. He is set to continue as No.1 going into next season, after keeping 20 clean sheets in 41 matches across all competitions.