Aaron Ramsdale sends message to Emile Smith Rowe after loan-to-buy twist

Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith Rowe have had contrasting fortunes since they both left Arsenal last summer.

Smith Rowe's club-record move to Fulham for £27million resulted in 40 appearances, six goals and three assists in all competitions for the Cottagers, as Marco Silva's side recorded an 11th-placed finish.

Ramsdale's £25m switch to Southampton on deadline day hasn't had the same results, with the 27-year-old keeping just three clean sheets in 30 Premier League games as the Saints were relegated.

Southampton were expected to sell Ramsdale in the wake of relegation after 66 goals flew past him last season, and interest from Premier League sides hasn't been hard to come by so far this summer.

Amid cooling interest from both West Ham and Rangers, Newcastle have emerged as the front-runners to sign Ramsdale on a loan-to-buy deal, giving him a direct route back to the Champions League.

Smith Rowe celebrated by Ramsdale amid transfer links

Newcastle's move for Ramsdale comes after missing out on several goalkeeping transfers targets like Lucas Chevalier and James Trafford, who is set to return to Man City after months of talks with Burnley.

Ramsdale would join a lengthy list of goalkeepers at St. James' Park including Martin Dubravka, Nick Pope and Odysseas Vlachodimos, in a transfer window which hasn't gone to plan for Newcastle so far.

The England keeper will hope his next move proves to be more successful than his disastrous season at Southampton, as he sent a message to Smith Rowe to celebrate the Fulham playmaker's 25th birthday.

Posting on his Instagram story (28 July), Ramsdale shared Fulham's own birthday post with the message of: "32 – my man".

Newcastle's summer hits new low with Ramsdale pursuit

Football Insider Verdict

Ramsdale's "32" message likely referenced Smith Rowe's squad number rather than a joke about his age, but a joke is exactly what Newcastle fans are calling their own club's transfer business this summer.

Newcastle have already missed out on multiple targets with only Anthony Elanga through the doors so far, and have been rocked by the news that Alexander Isak wants to force through a move to Liverpool.

Isak departing in a club-record sale would leave Eddie Howe with a huge hole to fill up front, and though Yoane Wissa is using a similar tactic to push for a £30m move from Brentford, Magpies fans would still see this as a massive downgrade.