Aaron Ramsdale: return to Southampton confirmed

[Kooiman]

Look, as I get older, I’ve learned to welcome new faces and give them a fair chance to impress—even if, on paper, they don’t exactly dazzle me. Jack Colback remains the lone exception to this rule.

 

That said, he is an England international and someone that offers us a different profile of goalkeeper. I think he’ll integrate well with the squad and more importantly, he’ll push Nick Pope to stay at his best all while trying his darnedest to earn a move here. This is his last chance at a top Premier League club as anything other than 3rd choice. 

 

I'm happy we’ve only committed to a loan deal with an option to buy, so the long-term decision-making power stays firmly in our hands. I know Plan A was James Trafford, but I’ll give the club credit for not sitting on their hands. They recognized the need to refresh the goalkeeping department rather than crossing their fingers and hoping Martin Dubravka could step in at a moment’s notice. The nature of our situation and this summer window means not every transfer will be a jump to hyperspace, and I can accept that for now. 

[duo]

In Eddie we trust I guess

[DoricGinola]

4 million loan fee 

 

Must be more to this than meets the eye

[Tiotes Witch Doctor]

Not to be Mr Positive but I'm finding myself quite happy with this signing, get him back to his Arsenal levels and he's a top keeper who will give our play from the back another dimension.

 

 

Edited July 29, 2025 by Tiotes Witch Doctor

[Bimpy474]

5 minutes ago, duo said:

In Eddie we trust I guess

 

If you one does not trust him now, one never will.

[Mazzy]

Is 4 million sizeable? I wouldn't have said so. 

 

That's less than Chelsea had to pay to NOT sign Sancho 😂 

[The Prophet]

Satisfying to have one done in less than 48 hours of it breaking.

[The Prophet]

11 minutes ago, Kooiman said:

Look, as I get older, I’ve learned to welcome new faces and give them a fair chance to impress—even if, on paper, they don’t exactly dazzle me. Jack Colback remains the lone exception to this rule.

 

That said, he is an England international and someone that offers us a different profile of goalkeeper. I think he’ll integrate well with the squad and more importantly, he’ll push Nick Pope to stay at his best all while trying his darnedest to earn a move here. This is his last chance at a top Premier League club as anything other than 3rd choice. 

 

I'm happy we’ve only committed to a loan deal with an option to buy, so the long-term decision-making power stays firmly in our hands. I know Plan A was James Trafford, but I’ll give the club credit for not sitting on their hands. They recognized the need to refresh the goalkeeping department rather than crossing their fingers and hoping Martin Dubravka could step in at a moment’s notice. The nature of our situation and this summer window means not every transfer will be a jump to hyperspace, and I can accept that for now. 

 

You sound familiar, posted on here before?

[Ashley17]

I think it’s fine. He can kick a ball and I don’t remember him making a load of errors. Yes he’s been relegated a few times but each time he’s gone somewhere else for a decent fee. Trafford was relegated and was basically shite every week but is now seen as some sort of Yashin type after a stellar Championship season. I get that Trafford will continue to improve and undoubtedly would have been lined up as our number 1 for years to come but this is a stop gap. Worse things have and will happen.

[timeEd32]

£4m is at the low end of what came to mind with “sizable.” 
 

This is perfectly reasonable. More now please.

[Wilson]

Give zero fucks about this one given what we need (obviously in my opinion) and the fact that I don't think it's an improvement on what we have as first or possibly 2nd choice. 

 

Usual 'hope I'm proved wrong' safety net

 

Although I'm looking forward to having 6 keepers on the bench for a laugh. 

[Ronaldo]

Can we get rid of Dubravka and one of the other shit ones now?

[elbee909]

I keep thinking of Norman Wisdom shouting 'Mr Ramsdale' (rather than Mr Grimsdale).

[SAK]

We’ve pulled ourselves out of the mud after the Trafford debacle (messed around all summer on the fee when we could have wrapped it up before City decided they needed a new keeper plus not signing him last summer when the opportunity was there).
 

Ramsdale’s a good keeper who lost his way at Arsenal and adds the ball playing dimension to our defence when being pressed.

 

Not the massive improvement individually we may have wanted but across the goalkeeping department we’re stronger overall. I think if we can make incremental improvements in all  positions we’ll do OK as we faltered due to there being a steep drop off from the first choice to the backup/s last season.

 

[SAK]

.

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2025 by SAK
Double post

[wong989]

Why not move onto a top prospect goalie, who can hopefully be what we want, instead of spending money on a lad we know isn’t what we want long term

[SAK]

7 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

Can we get rid of Dubravka and one of the other shit ones now?

Dubravka will probably be released and head to Saudi and Vlachimodis flogged for whatever we can get. Gillespie and Ruddy kept for target practice.

[SAK]

1 minute ago, wong989 said:

Why not move onto a top prospect goalie, who can hopefully be what we want, instead of spending money on a lad we know isn’t what we want long term

It covers a weakness now and from the sounds of it is an option not an obligation. There may not be an alternative who is available or financially viable so this buys us time.

[Joelinton7]

1 hour ago, McCormick said:

 

Can I just shock you? Etc.

I’m in. He’s streets ahead of Pope in this department. 

[SteV]

3 minutes ago, wong989 said:

Why not move onto a top prospect goalie, who can hopefully be what we want, instead of spending money on a lad we know isn’t what we want long term

Not sure it’s quite that simple like

[Danh1]

4 minutes ago, wong989 said:

Why not move onto a top prospect goalie, who can hopefully be what we want, instead of spending money on a lad we know isn’t what we want long term

Surely that’s why we’ve only got him on loan? Move for the long term number one when they’re available next summer

[Kanj]

1 hour ago, The Prophet said:

 

I’ve seen crazier loan fees not called “significant” by the press. Honestly so weird the way we get reported. 

[Ben]

Just now, Kanj said:

I’ve seen crazier loan fees not called “significant” by the press. Honestly so weird the way we get reported. 

It was quoted as a "heavy" loan fee today 

[HawK]

With the signing of Ramsdale to add to Elanga, we've now directly added strength to our two weakest starting eleven positions on the pitch.

 

Can't argue about the recruitment focus even if the execution has been lacking.

 

Now just two strikers to bring in at a minimum please (presuming Isak is off), 2 from Wissa/Toney/Sesko por favor.

[Ikon]

CB and CM is a must too.