Aaron Ramsdale is set to move to the Premier League for the second time in six months.
Southampton sit bottom of the table with just six points from 20 games and goalkeeper Ramsdale could face an unexpected exit route. He moved to St Mary’s Stadium from Arsenal last summer but will soon be packing his bags again.
It is reportedNewcastle United have identified Ramsdale as the answer to challenges in the goalkeeping department, with Nick Pope’s injury problems disrupting Eddie Howe’s plans.
Newcastle looking for long-term goalkeeper
Pope, who turns 33 in April, suffered a knee injury in the Magpies’ defeat to Brentford. Newcastle have been able to move on to Martin Dubravka as second choice, but his 36th birthday is next week. John Ruddy is 38, Mark Gillespie is 32 and Odysseas Vlachodimos is 30.
Last summer, Southampton spent 25 million pounds to buy Ramsdale after being promoted back to the Premier League. With every Saints defeat, relegation becomes more inevitable and he has to readjust to picking the ball out of the net.
Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 but eventually gave up his place to David Raya. He signed a four-year contract at Southampton citing a desire to play regularly. He did exactly that, suffering a finger injury earlier in the season, but Newcastle’s attention offered him a way out.
With relegation looming, some of Southampton’s behind-the-scenes focus will shift to the club’s Championship wage bill. Regardless of whether a move is possible in January, moving Ramsdale could be on the agenda this year.
Although Newcastle will be Ramsdale’s third team of the season he will be allowed to play for them. Players can register for up to three clubs in a season and compete for two of them. Ramsdale did not feature twice for the Gunners in August.
Howe will be his fourth head coach this season. Southampton sacked Russell Martin in December and replaced him with Ivan Juric. The Saints have lost all three games under the Croatian.
Southampton will travel to St Mary’s in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon against Swansea City, before facing league games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
Their last Premier League game in January was at home to Newcastle. If the Magpies continue to be interested in the Southampton goalkeeper, Ramsdale could face his embattled former club as early as January 25.
