Newcastle United has reached an agreement with Southampton for the signing of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to talkSPORT. The 27-year-old will initially join the Magpies on a £4 million loan with the option for a permanent transfer next summer.
Ramsdale, who is making the move from St Mary’s just one year after transferring from Arsenal during their relegation to the Championship, has faced a challenging career with three demotions to England’s second-tier, previously with Bournemouth and Sheffield United. However, Newcastle is providing the five-cap England international with an opportunity to return to the Premier League.
The goalkeeper is reportedly enthusiastic about the transfer to St James’ Park, motivated by the prospect of competing for a place in England’s World Cup squad next year. In a further boost for Newcastle supporters, Ramsdale opted against a transfer to fierce rivals Sunderland earlier this window.
Newcastle’s interest in Ramsdale arose after they missed out on James Trafford, who has re-signed with Manchester City in a £27 million deal, two years after being sold for £15 million. Eddie Howe had identified Trafford as a primary target to challenge current number one Nick Pope.
TalkSPORT detailed last month that Southampton was willing to permit Ramsdale’s loan to relieve the burden of his £100,000-a-week salary from their wage bill. West Ham has also shown interest in Ramsdale following the departure of Lukasz Fabianski, but Newcastle secured the deal by offering Champions League football.
The focus for Newcastle doesn’t end with Ramsdale. Despite signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55 million, bolstering their attacking line remains a key priority, especially as star striker Alexander Isak has expressed a desire to explore new opportunities amid interest from Liverpool and Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle aims to avoid losing out on more key targets after missing opportunities to sign players like Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Dean Huijsen this summer. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is being eyed as a potential replacement for Isak, with Newcastle reportedly having made an offer of around £60 million.
However, Manchester United has also shown interest in Sesko, whose transfer may depend on their ability to offload players like Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony. In addition to Sesko, Newcastle is pursuing Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and remains interested in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who is currently refusing to train as he seeks a move away from West London.
