Manchester United are understood to be plotting a surprise swoop for recently-relegated Southampton star Aaron Ramsdale as part of a massive overhaul in the team’s goalkeeping department.
Andre Onana’s second season went from bad to worse as he was left out of the squad for his team’s disappointing 4-1 defeat away to Newcastle United. It marked the first time the Magpies have done the league double over the Red Devils since 1931 and once again highlighted the seismic task that Ruben Amorim faces in the summer transfer window if he is able to catapult the team back into Champions League qualification.
Rarely-used deputy Altay Bayindir was chosen in between the posts at St James’ Park and was heavily criticised for his role in the fourth goal as his chipped goal kick was easily intercepted by Joelinton before Bruno Guimaraes confidently slotted the ball past him in a one vs one situation.
Recent events have left Ruben Amorim with a headache and have led to reports that five-time England international Ramsdale could be the team’s answer despite recently suffering a fourth career relegation at just 26 years of age.
Man Utd eye surprise Aaron Ramsdale swoop
Securing a new goalkeeper is becoming a more pressing issue for Ruben Amorim, who has set his sights on a move for Southampton’s Ramsdale, according to Sun Sport. The outlet understands United have been watching his recent games, and think his Premier League experience could make him a strong option to help resolve their issues in leaking goals.
Ramsdale joined Southampton from Arsenal last summer for a figure of around £18m, plus an extra £7m in add-ons to take the figure up to £25m. However, his team are already relegated from the top-flight, and remain on course to become the worst team in Premier League history after picking up just 10 points from 32 matches this term.
Ramsdale is also thought to be the subject of interest from Championship promotion favourites Leeds United, according to Football Insider. While the keeper’s former club Bournemouth have also expressed an interest along with West Ham United as a series of clubs look to improve their backline.
Why Man Utd are interested in Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale has experienced a series of ups and downs in his professional career since it started in 2015. He was relegated during a loan spell with Chesterfield in 2017/18 and also experienced drops from the Premier League to Championship with Bournemouth, Sheffield United and most recently Southampton. However, he remains one of the top English goalkeepers and is renowned for his excellent shot-stopping ability, reactions and speed to get off his line and sweep up danger.
Ramsdale joined Arsenal in 2021 with the expectation of being second choice behind Bernd Leno but ultimately ended up usurping the German in the line-up with a series of fine performances as his team rose from eighth to fifth in the table. The following campaign in 2022/23, he was a fundamental part of an Arsenal team which competed for a league title while notably making the PFA Team of the Season.
His Arsenal stint ended on a low point, with David Raya replacing him as the No 1 at the Emirates, but he is still held in high regard for the way he performed in North London. Since joining the Saints, he has arguably been the team’s best player despite shipping 57 goals in 24 games, and this has been epitomised by his 105 saves – the second most in the division – and his three penalty saves, including two from Marco Asensio in the recent 3-0 loss to Aston Villa.
In the meantime, Amorim is bracing himself for his biggest game yet as United manager as he prepares his team for a highly-anticipated Europa League home match against Lyon in the quarter-final after an entertaining 2-2 draw in France against the Ligue 1 side last week.
