Aaron Ramsdale rejected a last-minute Sunderland approach and resulted in avoiding a Granit Xhaka reunion. Knowing this, Adam Armstrong will be happy for the 27-year-old to favour his former side Newcastle over their derby rivals.
Aaron Ramsdale is now both an ex-Arsenal man and a former Southampton hero which is no new fact for the Saints. His future club will also be eager to welcome him as one of their own but fan perspectives will have looked completely flipped if he had changed his mind.
Not only would he have then avoided the Magpies, but he would have joined hands with their arch-rivals, Sunderland. In the words of journalist Ben Jacobs: "Ramsdale has already turned down an approach from Sunderland."
Well, Southampton fans can understand the significance of this dismissal as similar to theirs, the Newcastle Sunderland clash isn't an every-season occurrence. Hence, a yes or no in transfers is itself telling about which side a player roots for, who hasn't participated in that rivalry.
And denying Sunderland has more to it which Saints might be missing. Recently, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Black Cats new signing Granit Xhaka saying: "Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go. Deal agreed between all parties involved."
Adam Armstrong will be the happiest person with Ramsdale's decision
Yes, it's unbelievable at first but Aaron Ramsdale let go of an Arsenal reunion with Xhaka for the Newcastle move. The duo only played in a Gunners shirt together for a couple of years but they were largely starters, so, Ramsdale paying no heed to a familiar name moving there at the same time may frustrate some sections of Arsenal fans.
On the other hand, the 27-year-old glovesman's Southampton teammate Adam Armstrong will be feeling content with it. In February, the Saints finisher ignored Sunderland because of his Newcastle past and watching his compatriot doing so will make him even happier.
How will Ramsdale show up in his first derby game with Newcastle? A clean sheet will be awesome but let's hope he atleast emerges victorious there.