Aaron Ramsdale is back at Southampton. Newcastle passed on their £20 million purchase option. And now the queue of Premier League clubs wanting to sign him is forming fast.
Everton are the latest. According to SportsBoom, the Merseyside club want Ramsdale as a long-term replacement for Jordan Pickford and believe Southampton's need to sell gives them leverage on the price.
They are right that Southampton need to sell. They are wrong if they think that means a bargain.
The leverage is all Southampton's
Everton allegedly want Ramsdale to compete with Pickford for the starting spot, adding quality competition while they plan for the long-term future of the position.
Leeds United have also reignited their interest, having missed out on him last summer when they signed Lucas Perri from Lyon instead.
That means at least two Premier League clubs are now actively pursuing the same player. Southampton paid £18 million for Ramsdale in 2024. Newcastle's loan fee and wage coverage softened the financial blow over the past year. But the club still needs to recoup as much of that outlay as possible.
With multiple bidders in the picture, Johannes Spors should let the market do the talking and drive the price up rather than accepting the first offer that arrives.
What Ramsdale brings
Ramsdale made 12 Premier League appearances for Newcastle this season, impressing enough for Eddie Howe to describe him as “unbelievable“ after a particularly strong performance against Manchester United in March.
He has 78 Premier League appearances to his name, Champions League experience and genuine England international pedigree. But, at 28, he needs the next move to be the right one.
Peretz has already replaced him at St Mary's. That is the only reason Southampton can afford to sell at all.
Get the best deal and move quickly
Leeds see Ramsdale as a potential number one after Lucas Perri disappointed in his debut season at Elland Road, with veteran Karl Darlow eventually displacing the Brazilian as first choice.
That desperation from Leeds is useful information for Spors. A club that needs a goalkeeper urgently will pay more than a club that merely wants a backup.
Southampton should play Everton and Leeds off against each other, set a firm asking price and refuse to blink.
Ramsdale never really happened at St Mary's. But selling him for a decent fee this summer could fund the kind of recruitment that makes next season's promotion push a genuine possibility.
The bidding war is just getting started. Southampton should enjoy every minute of it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google