Aaron Ramsdale agrees to transfer to Premier League club in deal that could reach £25m as goalkeeper nears Arsenal exit
Aaron Ramsdale has agreed a deal to leave Arsenal and join Premier League rivals Southampton on a permanent transfer.
talkSPORT understands the Gunners will sell their No.2 goalkeeper for an initial fee of £18m, rising to £25m if Saints remain in the league this season.
Ramsdale will undergo his medical with St Mary's on Thursday in time to finalise the transfer. before the Friday deadline.
The England international has been heavily linked with a Arsenal leaving this summer after having lost his number 1 shirt to David Raya Last season.
Ramsdale's future at the Emirates Stadium was further thrown into doubt when, as expected, Raya's initial loan from Brentford turned into a permanent transfer earlier in the summer.
The possibility of a loan exit for Ramsdale had been widely discussed, with many clubs interested in England and across Europe, but it now appears Southampton They are willing to spend the money to get the goalkeeper directly.
Ramsdale has been pushing for a move away from the Gunners, with the 26-year-old desperate for playing time after making just 11 appearances last season in all competitions.
The Southampton deal represents a step back from Arsenal, who were looking to send Ramsdale on loan with an obligation to buy for up to £30m this summer.
Ramsdale joined the Gunners from Sheffield United for the same £30million fee in the summer of 2021.
But with hours to go before the window closes, they have accepted a lower offer to allow the goalkeeper to leave and play more regularly in the first team.
Several clubs showed interest in the 26-year-old, with wolvesBournemouth and Dutch giants Ajax see their offers rejected by Arsenal.
Saints then entered the race as they continued their search for a new goalkeeper after issues with a medical halted their signing of Feyenoord No.1 Justin Bijlow.
3
3
Ramsdale is now set to become Saints' new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu as they look to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League.
Last season's Championship play-off final winners sit 16th in the top-flight table after starting the new campaign with back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
Ramsdale will leave Arsenal after making 89 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, helping the club lift the Community Shield in 2023.
His £30m arrival surprised many at the time, but the young goalkeeper (23 when he signed) quickly won over his doubters with some impressive displays between the sticks, earning praise for his reaction shots and acrobatic saves.
He also won over fans with his tendency to taunt opponents, especially opposing supporters sitting behind his goal, as well as with his passionate celebrations from the other end of the pitch as he watched his teammates score.
However, the youngster also earned a reputation for lacking concentration at key moments, leading him to make a number of big mistakes and find himself Mikel Arteta In the end he put his trust in another.
