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SOUTHAMPTON are weighing up a move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Saints want a top-level, experienced ‘keeper for their return to the Premier League and are prepared to step up their interest in the England star when he returns from the Euros.
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Ramsdale wants first-team football after losing his Arsenal place to David Raya last season.
The Gunners would love to keep him as back-up to Raya but understand his situation.
Ramsdale was in the Southampton end for the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley.
He was supporting former Bournemouth team-mate David Brooks, who was on loan at the Saints, and went dressed as Hagrid, a character from the Harry Potter books.
It will take a little bit of transfer magic for the Saints to bring him to St Mary’s.
If Ramsdale is to leave the Emirates this summer, Arsenal would prefer a permanent deal and would want close to the £30m they agreed to pay Sheffield United for him in 2021.
Boss Mikel Arteta has already said that concerns about complying with financial regulations are restricting the club’s transfer activity so far this summer, which would make a cash deal for Ramsdale would be very useful.
But if no club were willing to match the asking price, the Gunners might be prepared to let the 26 year old go out on loan in the hope his performances would generate a big fee in the future.
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Southampton are likely to favour the loan option.
The Saints have already been busy in the summer transfer market but still want to bring in a midfielder and forward, as well as a goalkeeper.
St Mary’s chiefs re-signed veteran ‘keeper Alex McCarthy after he stood in for injured Gavin Bazunu in last season’s run-in and made crucial saves as the club won promotion via the play-offs.
Republic of Ireland international Bazunu is unlikely to recover from rupturing an Achilles tendon before next spring.
Ramsdale is an attractive option, although matching his Arsenal wages of £120,000 would make him the highest paid player at Southampton.
Newcastle were previously linked with Ramsdale, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League and FFP pressures mean they have other priorities for their transfer budget,
Southampton see an opportunity and are keen to explore it when Ramsdale returns from Germany.
Arsenal have been linked with signing Wolves’ Dan Bentley and Espanyol’s Joan Garcia as replacements for Ramsdale.
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ENGLAND began their Euros final campaign in Germany on June 16.
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