Southampton will now be clearer on their chances of signing Aaron Ramsdale to resolve Russell Martin’s goalkeeper conundrum as Ajax have seen an approach refused by Arsenal.
Russell Martin has never explicitly stated that he wants a new goalkeeper at Southampton this summer.
However, Gavin Bazunu’s long-term Achilles injury has left the Saints with the options of Alex McCarthy, Joe Lumley and Mateusz Lis.
Lumley was only ever signed as a back-up, Lis is expected to return to Southampton’s sister club Goztepe, whilst McCarthy’s St Mary’s career looked over until April.
That was until McCarthy stepped into the side at the last minute as Bazunu injured his Achilles in the warm up of the 3-0 win over Preston in April despite not even being named in the squad.
McCarthy deputised impressively, helping Southampton to play-off success and earning a new contract in the process.
However, this pre-season has only served to highlight the 34-year-old’s struggles with the ball at his feet and that has seen Southampton target a loan move for Aaron Ramsdale who has slipped to second-choice at Arsenal.
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Southampton unlikely to sign Aaron Ramsdale on loan as Arsenal reveal stance
With Bazunu the undisputed number one under Martin prior to his injury, the Saints boss is likely to want to reintegrate the Irishman upon his return.
That is still a long way off, though, with doubts over whether Bazunu will play again in 2024 meaning a loan deal for a goalkeeper makes sense.
That would also see Southampton save money that they can then use to improve an attack in desperate need of additions.
The club now looks to be left disappointed in their pursuit of Ramsdale, as The Athletic report that Arsenal have rejected a loan approach from Ajax as they would ‘prefer to sell Ramsdale this summer’.
This is bad news for Southampton, who are simply not going to be willing to pay the substantial fee that Arsenal would demand to sanction a permanent move.
Southampton may have to move on from Ramsdale to resolve goalkeeper problems
There is perhaps a slither of hope remaining for Martin, as the closer it gets to the end of the transfer window without a sale the more chance there will be of Arsenal agreeing to a loan.
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The player himself wants to play and is not keen to sit on the bench for another year as David Raya has become the clear first-choice.
With competition from Wolves as well as Ajax for Ramsdale’s signing, combined with Arsenal’s stance, Southampton could be left with no choice but to explore alternative options.
The club are unlikely to want to spend a significant chunk of their budget on a goalkeeper, so expect the Saints to be scouring the loan market between now and the end of August.