‘West Ham in the running to agree brilliant Aaron Ramsdale deal’
Aaron Ramsdale would be an “excellent” addition for West Ham United as they prepare a summer recruitment drive.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England keeper Paul Robinson said that if he were to sign a shot-stopper for any club this summer, he’d opt for Ramsdale.
Ramsdale looks certain to leave Southampton after their relegation back to the Championship, which has activated a £25million release clause in his contract at St. Mary’s and alerted several interested clubs.
West Ham are one of the numerous Premier League sides expected to be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer, with Lukasz Fabianski now 40 and Alphonse Areola showing inconsistent form this season.
West Ham fans may not take kindly to signing players from a relegated Southampton side, but Robinson told Football Insider that Ramsdale would be a solid addition for the Hammers to make this summer.
Ramsdale to be ‘top of the list’ in West Ham transfer strategy
Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider last month that West Ham don’t see Ramsdale as a priority transfer despite being on their shortlist, but Robinson disagrees.
Speaking on the Inside Track, the ex-Leeds number one argued that while his former club should be all over a move for Ramsdale ahead of their return to the top-flight, he’d also be an ideal fit at the London Stadium.
“I like him, he’s one of my favourite goalkeepers. I really do like him – I think his attitude is one thing that really does impress me”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“I will be very surprised if I don’t see him at another Premier League club next season. West Ham obviously are in the running for him.
“You look at the age of the goalkeepers that they’ve got there now; Fabianski is 40, isn’t he? So there is going to be a recruitment drive for West Ham.
“I’d love to see Leeds beat everyone to the race. He’d be a great fit with the Leeds fan base and with the club, I think it would just be a good fit for them.
“Aaron Ramsdale for me would be top of my list if I was looking to recruit a goalkeeper this summer. I think he’s an excellent goalkeeper.”
Ramsdale to spark multi-club Premier League transfer battle
Southampton’s relegation back to the Championship leaves several players with eyes on an immediate return to the top-flight, with seemingly half the Premier League after the £100m-rated Tyler Dibling.
Ramsdale is expected to be in the same boat, and Robinson has already urged Leeds to complete a deal for Ramsdale upon promotion as they look to upgrade on Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow at Elland Road.
Newcastle and Man United have also been linked with potential moves for Ramsdale as the goalkeeper merry-go-round continues, and that pits West Ham in a race against time if they’re to complete the transfer themselves.