‘West Ham make Aaron Ramsdale decision as transfer priority revealed’
West Ham have put a move to sign Southampton star Aaron Ramsdale on the back-burner, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Graham Potter will prioritise other positions before looking at the goalkeeper.
While the boss does feel he could do with replacements in goal, he would be content to stick with Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski if other positions improve.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider West Ham are readying a centre-back signing as their top priority heading into the summer window.
However, Ramsdale’s availability given the £25million release clause in his Southampton contract has caught the eye of the Hammers who could still make a move.
Newcastle, Leeds, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Man United have all been linked with moves for the England international and are expected to race for his signature.
West Ham transfer priority emerges amid Aaron Ramsdale talk
Brown told Football Insider in March that Southampton are preparing for a mass summer exodus and Ramsdale is likely to be one of the first to leave St Mary’s.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted West Ham will look to strengthen other areas before looking in goal.
“Aaron Ramsdale is on West Ham’s list of targets,” he told Football Insider.
“But he’s on the list of quite a few clubs because he’s going to be available.
“West Ham’s problems aren’t down to the goalkeepers – they’ve got two goalkeepers who always seem to do a good job – it’s what in front of them that is an issue.
“I’m told that’s among their top priorities because the centre-backs are going to be so important to how the team plays, and the ones there now don’t fit.
“Ramsdale is confident with the ball at his feet and he’s had a good year despite Southampton’s issues.
“So they might look at signing a new goalkeeper, but not before they address other positions.
“If they have to stick with the two they’ve already got, I don’t think it will be a problem.”
Oumar Solet, Taylor Harwood-Bellis on Graham Potter’s list
As part of their plans to sign a new centre-back, West Ham are considering a number of options from across world football to fit in Potter’s side.
Football Insider revealed West Ham want to sign Udinese’s Oumar Solet and view him as the ideal replacement for Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Meanwhile, Kevin Lomonaco is also on West Ham’s shortlist as they have been keeping a close eye on his performances for Club Atletico Independiente.
Lastly, Ramsdale’s Southampton teammate Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been linked, although Brown told Football Insider West Ham want a better option than Harwood-Bellis.
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