Tyler Dibling responds to Aaron Ramsdale’s message over Southampton exit
Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Newcastle United doesn’t look like being the last high-profile exit from Southampton this summer.
Saints’ relegation came in record time last season after a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham in early April, giving their Premier League rivals an additional six weeks to line up potential moves for their standout players.
Ramsdale was one of these despite shipping 66 of the 86 goals Southampton conceded across last season, but the England goalkeeper’s track record was enough for Newcastle to take a punt on him.
Dibling is the Southampton player most heavily linked with the exit door this summer though, and after talks went quiet for a month, Everton have emerged as clear front-runners to sign the talented teenager.
Ramsdale sends ‘proud’ message after Newcastle switch
Like Dibling, Ramsdale had been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs in the wake of Southampton’s relegation, with Paul Robinson backing his former club Leeds to sign the 27-year-old.
Rather than a relegation battle, Ramsdale is instead bound for the Champions League after he made his season-long loan move to Newcastle, and made his Magpies debut in a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Newcastle‘s defeat in the Sela Cup at St. James’ Park saw Ramsdale concede to Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann in the second half, and he posted on Instagram (10 August) with a message to fans.
Dibling was one of several Saints players to like Ramsdale’s post, which said: “Proud to make my debut. Ready to get going for real next week – Thanks for the welcome St James’ Park”.
Dibling departure inevitable as Everton weigh up £50m move
Football Insider Verdict
With Ramsdale out the door and Saints’ return to the Championship getting underway with a 2-1 win over Wrexham, Dibling’s highly-anticipated exit looks set to be the next big development at Southampton.
Football Insider revealed on 2 August that Southampton have set a new price tag of £45–50million for Dibling this summer, and Everton are yet to meet this valuation after seeing a £40m bid rejected.
Everton remain in talks with Saints as Dibling looks increasingly likely to depart, and with the countdown to the new Premier League season in its final days, the onus is on David Moyes to get a deal over the line.