Newcastle transfer news: Aaron Ramsdale deal ‘expected to happen’ with ‘official bid sent’ to Southampton

Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with Southampton to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer.

The Magpies have only made one signing so far this summer - the £55m transfer of winger Anthony Elanga - with Eddie Howe’s side left frustrated after missing out on several top targets.

It is has been well-documented that Newcastle are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper to challenge their number one Nick Pope, with Burnley’s James Trafford identified as their leading target earlier this summer.

Newcastle agreed a fee with Burnley to sign Trafford last week, but Manchester City triggered a matching clause to re-sign their former academy graduate, who is undergoing a medical ahead of completing a £27m move to the Etihad Stadium.

The Magpies now appear to have turned their attention to another English goalkeeper in Ramsdale, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that an official bid has been sent to Southampton.

Newcastle in talks with Southampton over Ramsdale transfer

Romano adds that Newcastle's proposal is a ‘high loan fee’ that would see them cover Ramsdale’s wages, and it also includes an option-to-buy clause.

Talks are currently ongoing between both clubs, with Southampton ready to consider either a straight sale, an initial loan deal with a significant loan fee and an option-to-buy clause, or for the goalkeeper to remain at St Mary’s next season.

Although an agreement is yet to be reached, Romano claims that the 'deal is expected to happen', with Ramsdale having already said yes to join Newcastle.

Ramsdale worked under Howe during his time at Bournemouth in 2017 and Newcastle allegedly considered signing the 27-year-old from Arsenal last summer before he joined Southampton for an initial £18m.

Ramsdale set for Premier League lifeline after third relegation of his career

The five-cap England international made 30 appearances, kept just three clean sheets and made the second-most saves (125) in the Premier League for a Saints side that finished rock bottom of the table last season, marking the third relegation from the top flight of his career.

Ramsdale does have experience competing at the top end of the Premier League, though, as he played every minute of every top-flight match for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s men finished second behind Man City in the 2022-23 campaign.

Should Ramsdale complete a move to Newcastle, speculation over the futures of Martin Dubravka - who signed a one-year contract extension in February - Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie is set to intensify.

According to Sky Sports News, Dubravka is one goalkeeper, along with Man City’s Stefan Ortega, who Burnley have looked at as a potential replacement for Trafford.