Newcastle have started negotiations with Southampton to sign English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The discussions are at an early stage, as Newcastle are considering both a loan and a permanent transfer for Ramsdale.
Read: First it was Liverpool, now Manchester United will also deny Newcastle big signing
Championship club Southampton, however, prefers a permanent sale on significant terms, having signed the England international from Arsenal for £18 million in August 2024.
This comes after Newcastle recently agreed a £27 million transfer fee with Burnley for James Trafford, only for Manchester City to activate a matching rights clause and secure their former academy player.
Contest to Nick Pope
The Magpies seem to want to create competition for Nick Pope’s first-team place and a transfer would reunite Ramsdale with his former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.
Ramsdale, who was last in England’s squad in March, will also have the opportunity to continue in the Premier League. He made 30 appearances for Southampton last season, when the club finished in last place and were relegated by just 12 points.
Newcastle rebuilds
Newcastle, who will play in the Champions League this season, are trying to shape their squad for the new season amid uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak’s future. Liverpool are showing interest in the striker, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško is being considered as a replacement.
How does Ramsdale measure up against Newcastle’s goalkeepers?
When Nick Pope started against Italy at the San Siro in September 2022, he became the first Newcastle goalkeeper in 121 years to play for England’s national team. Three years later, the club can now get a new England national team goalkeeper in the squad.
But Newcastle fans can be forgiven for being a little worried about signing a goalkeeper who has been relegated from the Premier League with three different clubs:
- Southampton (2024/25) – 12 points
- Sheffield United (2020/21)
- Bournemouth (2019/20)
- Also relegated to League Two on loan at Chesterfield 7 years ago
The 27-year-old Ramsdale conceded 66 goals and kept just three clean sheets in a disastrous 2024/25 season. The numbers are understandably below average, as he played behind a weak defence.
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Experience and qualities
Still, his experience cannot be questioned – with 183 Premier League appearances (only 38 fewer than Newcastle’s first goalkeeper Pope).
Ramsdale’s profile is more similar to Eddie Howe’s backup goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka:
- Less solid rescue technique than Pope
- Better with the ball in his legs than Pope
- More precise passes than Pope
Dúbravka did well when he got the chance last year, but he turns 37 in January. The opportunity to sign a player almost 10 years younger with similar qualities could prove to be wise business.
