Reports from London are suggesting that Aaron Ramsdale does not want to sit on the bench for the Gunners in the coming season, as he did for most of the last Premier League campaign, Saints are being heavily linked with a move for the keeper.

footballlondon are one of the media outlets carrying the story, they say that the 26-year-old is open to leaving the Emirates in search of regular game time after losing his place to David Raya.

Ramsdale played just 6 times in the League last season after being first choice for the previous two after joining the club from Sheffield United.

Speaking on his future last month, Ramsdale told talkSPORT:

"No footballer wants to not play. I've had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again."

So it seems that the only questions remaining are where he will go during the transfer window and whether it will be a permanent transfer or a loan move.

Arsenal paid somewhere between £25-30 million in August 2021 for Ramsdale and would be looking to recoup as much as that as possible, however his value has dropped to a little over £20 million.

But that price might put off Southampton and indeed other clubs who would be interested in signing him, not to mention his wages, which I would imagine are fairly substantial.

Saints are being linked though and I would see a loan move as being in the best interests of all parties, for Saints it would enable them to get a Premier League proven keeper and not break the bank, for Arsenal although they would prefer to keep Ramsdale as number two to David Raya, they would prefer to get the deal done early so they can bring in his replacement and as mentioned, to his credit Ramsdale does not want to sit and take his wages, he wants to play.

So this is a deal that could happen very quickly, although I would think that Saints would have some competition for his services, but with the top clubs all sorted for Keepers and many of the established clubs also with good number ones, it is competition that Saints will be able to compete with.

Photo: Action Images

derbydog added 10:05 - Jul 15 Doesn’t work as a transfer. Saints and manager believe in Gavin and we wouldn’t want and couldn’t afford both keepers when he is fit again. Ramsdale wouldn’t want to find himself on the bench again playing second choice. Works for all parties as a loan for a season though.
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Jesus_02 added 10:23 - Jul 15 Think this could work perfectly , if not Ramsdale then someone else's top 2nd keeper. I would have preferred a top out of contract keeper that would have provided experience and mentorship of Gavin.
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Colburn added 13:29 - Jul 15 Really like the idea of Ramsdale in between the sticks this year but surely McCarthy has been offered the no.1 spot or he wouldn’t have extended his contract? If he was going to be no.2 then I assume he would have looked at Liverpool or Celtic if they were interested. It would, however, be great to bring in Ramsdale. As for others, I wonder if Welington and Downes are still coming. We also need to replace Armstrong, Adams and also Tella from last year. If Charly is off then we need to replace him too. Only a month to go and we are well short.

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Block8 added 14:46 - Jul 15 Could be worth 10 or more points next season, big yes from me!
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WestSussexSaint added 15:22 - Jul 15 I agree that a loan deal makes sense. Saints are wedded to Bazunu long term but need a quality keeper for next season (McCarty will still be back up). Arsenal have the option to keep hold of Ramsdale longer term - perhaps with a mid season cancellation clause if Raya gets injured. Ramsdale gets match time which may prove crucial to his future England prospects if a new manager comes in and decides it’s time to move on from Pickford. On separate news I see we have completed the deal for Downes. With him back and Ramsdale in goal I would think getting another striker is the last piece of the puzzle for next season.

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kingolaf added 18:58 - Jul 15 Saints are not wedded to Bazunu. They just won’t crucify him in public. I would be surprised if he ever started another first team game.
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SanMarco added 14:22 - Jul 16 This sounds great to me - he would obviously only come as first choice so the other two would be bench-warming...
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