Southampton could see their attempts to make a signing in a key position knocked back following news of an injury to a player at a Premier League rival.
Russell Martin‘s squad is starting to take shape, with Southampton having already made seven signings this summer.
Flynn Downes has finally made last season’s loan permanent much to the delight of Martin and provides the tempo-setting holding midfielder that Southampton required.
Adam Lallana has also arrived to add quality and experience in abundance, with the remaining five signings all defenders.
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However, Southampton could be set to receive bad news in their quest to sign one of their targets for the number one goalkeeper spot following an injury.
Bart Verbruggen injury could see Southampton miss out on Jason Steele
Whilst Downes was always the priority this summer, Martin knows a new goalkeeper should be very high on his wish-list.
Last season’s number one Gavin Bazunu is set to miss a large chunk of the new season with an Achilles injury, whilst Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley are viewed as back-ups and Mateusz Lis could return to Goztepe on loan.
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Southampton’s quest to sign a new first-choice stopper capable of playing Martin’s brand of possession-based football as well as providing a good level of shot-stopping has seen them explore the possibility of signing both Jason Steele and Aaron Ramsdale.
Of the two, Steele had seemed the most likely given Arsenal want to recoup the £30 million fee they paid for Ramsdale in 2022.
However, Southampton could now see any approach for Steele immediately rebuffed by Brighton as Bart Verburggen – whom Steele battled with for the number one shirt last season – has picked up an injury at the Euros that will see him miss the start of the season.
Could Southampton now push to sign Aaron Ramsdale?
Verbruggen’s injury means there is almost no chance that Brighton will sanction the sale of Steele.
This could be very bad news for Southampton, with Steele likely to be a relatively cheap solution to the goalkeeper problem and a player that Martin has been full of praise for in the past for his abilities with the ball at his feet.
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However, the 33-year-old is not the only ‘keeper who has been identified as a potential arrival this summer and this could now see the Saints step up their interest in Ramsdale.
It is almost unthinkable that Southampton will spend £30 million on a goalkeeper this summer, but Arsenal are said to be open to a loan with a view to Ramsdale increasing in value ready for a sale next year.
With that in mind, Martin could offer Ramsdale a year as his number one and re-evaluate his goalkeeper situation next summer.