Southampton look set to wrap up their biggest deal of the summer as a move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale edges closer to completion.
Given Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley are currently the only two senior goalkeepers available to Russell Martin it was crucial Southampton signed a goalkeeper ahead of Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
With first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, McCarthy has been deputising but his clanger against Newcastle United highlighted the shortfalls of his footwork.
This saw Southampton push to complete a deal for Justin Bijlow of Feyenoord but the transfer collapsed late in the day as an issue was picked up in the medical.
The Saints subsequently turned their full attention to Aaron Ramsdale, with a permanent deal worth up to £25 million now agreed.
After what happened with Bijlow, Southampton fans will not relax until the club announce Ramsdale’s arriva,l but comments from David Seaman last year should start to get the St Mary’s faithful excited.
David Seaman thinks imminent Southampton signing Aaron Ramsdale is ‘phenomenal’
Seaman knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a goalkeeper at the top level having won three league titles and four FA Cups at Arsenal, as well as earning 75 England caps.
The retired goalkeeper was full of praise for Ramsdale in March 2023 after he made a crucial intervention in a dramatic 3-2 win over Bournemouth.
Seaman said: “People forget he’s only 24.
“So that is amazing for me because I didn’t join Arsenal until I was 26 – what he’s doing now at 24 is just phenomenal.”
The 60-year-old added: “He’s making big saves all the time. There was one on Saturday at 1-0 that was world class.
“It wasn’t like a flying save or anything like that but it was a really technical piece of goalkeeping, which he did brilliantly, and he’s been doing that all season.
“There’s a confidence building in him and it is a calm confidence, because as a goalkeeper, you can’t be like flying here, there and everywhere and ranting and raving – although Peter Schmeichel made a good career doing that.”
Ramsdale should go straight into Southampton side to face Brentford
Southampton’s quest for their first points since their return to the Premier League continues on Saturday as Martin takes his side to Brentford.
So far, the Saints have lost 1-0 to both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest but showed in their 5-3 win over Cardiff City on Wednesday night that they are capable of creating chances.
Martin knows his side will have a far better chance of staying in the top flight if they can keep clean sheets and Ramsdale should be a huge help in that regard.
- READ MORE: What Russell Martin said when asked if ‘fantastic’ Aaron Ramsale was signing for Southampton
Whilst not perfect with the ball at his feet, the England ‘keeper is a very confident individual and will be a significant upgrade on McCarthy in terms of distribution.
This will allow Southampton to better execute their possession game and should instil confidence in his team-mates that they might not have wen McCarthy is in goal.