Southampton sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal for record fee

Arsenal and Southampton have reportedly agreed to a deal for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The 26-year-old Staffordshire native will join the Saints for a fee of £26m. This would make Ramsdale Southampton’s new record signing.  
 
Ramsdale has played just 11 matches across all competitions for Arsenal since the start of last season after losing his starting goalkeeper spot to Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. 

Ramsdale on the move 

Aaron Ramsdale’s situation has long been one of the most confusing in the Premier League.  
 
In the 2021-2022 and 2022-23 seasons, the former Sheffield United No. 1 looked like one of the best goalies in the league. It clearly was not enough for Mikel Arteta though.  
 
Arsenal signed David Raya on loan from Brentford last season. Ramsdale has been out of the Arsenal starting XI ever since.  
 
Valued at €25m by transfermarkt, Ramsdale is one of the most expensive backups in the league. Now, it looks like he’ll finally get the chance to start again.  

Statement of intent from Saints 

Given his situation, it was pretty clear that Ramsdale was going to leave Arsenal this transfer window. I don’t think anyone expected Southampton to be the club who would sign him though.  
 
The Saints finished fourth in the EFL Championship last season, and are one of the betting sites favourites to go down this season. Most clubs in their situation would play it safe because the risk of getting a big transfer wrong is so high. Instead, Southampton are going to break their club transfer record to bring in a new goalkeeper.  
 
It’s too early to say whether this will work out in the long-run. What we can say though, is that it’s a bold strategy. If I were a Saints fan, I would be happy to see my club showing such ambition in the transfer market.  

EPL Matchweek 3 preview 

Southampton will face off against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London on Saturday (12:00 AM on Sunday, AEST).  
 
Barring an incredibly quick bedding in period, it’s unlikely Ramsdale starts in that match, which is really too bad for the Saints because they could really use him. Our EPL predictions have Brentford easily winning against Southampton.  
 
Our soccer betting experts also like Ramsdale’s old club, Arsenal, in Matchweek 3. The Gunners are set to take on Brighton at home at Emirates this Saturday.  
 
Conclusion 

The Seagulls and their new, 31-year-old manager have looked quality so far this season. Arsenal are simply too good though. We expect them to dominate the match and to maintain their perfect record.