Aaron Ramsdale 'certain' to leave Southampton in January and join Premier League club

Aaron Ramsdale is certain to leave Southampton during the January transfer window amid interest from Premier League clubs.

The 28-year-old has fallen well down the pecking order at St Mary's Stadium, and most recently featured for the club's Under-21s side in what has come as a dramatic drop off.

He spent last year on loan at Newcastle, where he struggled to impress, while he was Arsenal's number one just three years ago as well as a regular England international.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Ramsdale is still highly thought of, and any club in need of a goalkeeper come January could turn to him.

A number of Premier League clubs are believed to have been placed on high alert over his availability and could offer him a way out of Southampton when the winow opens.

Ramsdale was linked with a permanent move to Newcastle in the summer, while the likes of Leeds United and West Ham were also linked, but no move materialised.

What is next for Aaron Ramsdale at Southampton?

Football Insider revealed in March that Newcastle were weighing up Ramsdale's future ahead of the end of his loan spell as they eyed new additions in goal.

The Magpies ultimately opted to let the goalkeeper return to Southampton, and while Tonda Eckert has insisted he remains part of the squad, he is well down the pecking order.

Premier League clubs as well as some across Europe are believed to have taken note of his situation, and could look to capitalise when the January window opens.

"I'm surprised at how quickly Aaron Ramsdale's career seems to have gone down hill," Brown told Football Insider.

"I'm not saying he's the answer to anybody's prayers specifically, but to go from number one at Arsenal to not even making it into the squad for Southampton is a big drop.

"It's clear he doesn't have a role to play at Southampton, so it looks inevitable that they will be looking to move him on in January.

"For any team in the Premier League or in Europe, if they get to January and they're not happy with their goalkeeper, Ramsdale would represent a very good option.

"He's still highly regarded, it wasn't long ago that he was an England international, and he played a fair bit for Newcastle last season.

"So there will be interest in him, I have no doubt, especially if he is going to become available because he can't just be playing youth football, a player of his stature.

"I'm sure a Premier League team will look to bring him in when the window opens because he is still good enough to play at that level."

Which clubs are interested in Ramsdale?

Despite ultimately remaining at Southampton, Ramsdale had attracted interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League following his loan spell at Newcastle.

The goalkeeper failed to prise the number-one shirt away from Nick Pope at St James' Park, and ultimately returned to Southampton, but remains highly regarded.

Brown told Football Insider in June that Leeds United were considering a move for Ramsdale, although it was seen as a "gamble" following his struggles at Newcastle.

The Elland Road club ultimately decided to sign James Trafford instead, while Ramsdale's other suitors also cooled their interest and moves for other options.

However, he remains on the shortlist at a number of clubs, and if any are in need of goalkeeping reinforcements come January, he could be set for a return to the top flight.