Galatasaray looks out for a loan with a buy option for Aaron Ramsdale worth £20m while their club-record signing stands at €18m.
Admit it or not, all of us Saints fans are bewildered on not finding Aaron Ramsdale in ex-boss Martin's summer swoop list after recent links. Now, Rangers' cost-effective plans have had a share in it, but it's mainly Galatasaray's behind-the-scenes work that has caused this.
While yesterday, Ramsdale's reunion with Russell Martin looked obvious, Galatasaray has commanded a noticeable lead in the keeper's race again.
That's because the Turkish club is going strength to strength to sign the keeper as they look to finalise a loan deal with a purchase option.
Recently, journalist Kagan Dursun(via Sport Witness) revealed the move's progress, saying: "Galatasaray have asked both Aaron Ramsdale and his club Southampton about their terms. Ramsdale’s salary demand is €6m, while Southampton’s fee is £20m. Galatasaray’s intention is to rent + option."
Southampton's Ramsdale plan can fail with a Galatsaray move
Honestly, if this move goes through at the reported terms, Southampton is in for a massive shock. And all because of the purchase option that ignites permanent departure fears.
To add further fuel to it, comes Galatasaray's recent transfer history record. Though a club not known for spending big, the Turkish giants had just completed their record signing worth €18m last year, from the Championship itself.
Needless to say, if Galatasaray spent such a fee for former Norwich star Gabriel Sara, it wouldn't be surprising shall they utilise their option to permanently sign a gem of a keeper in Aaron Ramsdale next year.
Still, what's the most intriguing part? With this single move, Galatasaray can defeat the transfer interests of Southampton and Rangers together. Yet, there won't be a bigger loser than the Saints, who would be helpless watching their Ramsdale loan master plan backfire in the worst possible way.
In a fast-approaching reality, Southampton are moving closer to losing yet another transfer battle to Turkish clubs after the Paul Onuachu deal. Will the Saints manage to pull back some things? Let's hope so.