Aaron Ramsdale is on track to potentially be on the advantageous end of another last-moment goalkeeping transfer hiccup.
Till now, Southampton fans have identified themselves as the extreme lucky ones who got an Aaron Ramsdale deal past the dotted line. And their biggest reasoning often revolves around rumours of half the Premier League eyeing Ramsdale every month, but the story is completely opposite if they break down the finer details.
That's because recruiting someone on a fairly significant eight-figure fee is totally different from merely monitoring options, which almost every one of those keen parties has done with Ramsdale. But the 27-year-old has a unique second priority luck which will surely amaze Southampton fans if he gets it right again at the second time of asking.
Ramsdale can again gain from being a second priority shortlist
With the transfers clock ticking swiftly in August, Ramsdale sealed a new St. Mary's playground for himself but he wasn't the first choice in any circumstance. Instead, that was Justin Bijlow whose Saints dream fell apart paving the path for Ramsdale to fulfill his game time one.
One year later, and Sunderland also experienced the agony of watching a preferred shot-stopper sway away from beneath their noses. In the words of Fabrizio Romano: "Despite Sunderland in negotiations with OGC Nice, Bulka accepts Saudi Pro League as solution for his future."
Yes, this time it's Bulka not arriving in the Premier League which has begun facilitating Ramsdale's case among the Sunderland board. According to a TBR Football report, they lifted the lid on the Black Cats' £25m deal in the pipeline.
Now, the St. Mary's faithful are assured of overseeing the end of Ramsdale's saga after a long while, then be it a fruitful sale or add to the growing streak of transfer rejections.