Aaron Ramsdale is officially a Southampton player as Russell Martin has secured his goalkeeper target ahead of the summer transfer window closing late on Friday night.
This is very welcome news for everyone associated with Southampton as Aaron Ramsdale immediately increases Russell Martin‘s chances of keeping the club in the Premier League.
Alex McCarthy deputised well for the injured Gavin Bazunu to help get Southampton over the line in the Championship play-offs last season, but cannot play with the ball at his feet to the required level in a Martin side.
Therefore, Ramsdale signing in a deal worth up to £25 million from Arsenal in order to resolve this issue represents a significant backing from Southampton owners Sport Republic.
Aaron Ramsdale will be Southampton highest earner after signing
Southampton will pay an initial fee of £18 million to Arsenal for Ramsdale, with an extra £1 million to be paid if the club avoid relegation and a potential further £6 million related to performance.
Ramsdale is a goalkeeper with real pedigree and is an England international who has desires of becoming his country’s number one and therefore it is no surprise that his Southampton salary will reflect that.
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Journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed on X just how much that will be, as well as revealing Ramsdale will be the highest earner at Southampton, as he posted: “Southampton confirm Aaron Ramsdale has joined from Arsenal on 4+1 deal. £18 million+£7m fee. Add-ons triggered by Saints staying up and other performance-related criteria.
“Ramsdale earning over £100k-per-week and is understood to be Saints’ top earner.”
Southampton should benefit from Ramsdale point to prove
Ramsdale was quickly becoming one of the most highly-regarded goalkeepers in England when he secured a £30 million transfer to Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021.
However, he found his number one spot come under threat last summer as Mikel Arteta surprised everyone by bringing in Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on loan to compete with the English stopper.
Arteta’s motive quickly became clear as he dropped Ramsdale for Raya before signing the Spaniard permanently.
Southampton have benefitted from that decision in getting Ramsdale on a permanent deal for a decent price and will hope he now has a real fire in his belly to prove Arteta wrong.