Newcastle target Aaron Ramsdale after missing out on James Trafford
Ramsdale, 27, was given his debut at Bournemouth by Eddie Howe, now the Newcastle head coach, during his time in charge of the south-coast side. The goalkeeper will be allowed to leave Southampton, potentially on loan, although he also has a release clause of about £20million in his contract that became active after the club's relegation from the Premier League in May.
Ramsdale wants to return to a top-flight club to help him earn a place in England's World Cup squad next year. West Ham United considered a move and Galatasaray were interested in him.
Ramsdale was relegated from the Premier League for the third time in his career with Southampton last season
MATT WATSON/SOUTHAMPTON FC/GETTY IMAGES
Last summer he initially rejected Southampton but then decided to join them for a fee of £18million, potentially rising to £25million, from Arsenal. Ramsdale, who earns about £100,000 a week, has three years left on his deal at St Mary's.
However, his first season with the club ended with him being relegated from the Premier League for the third time in his career, having suffered the same fate with Sheffield United and Bournemouth.
The most recent of his five England caps came against Iceland in June last year. He was among four goalkeepers named by Thomas Tuchel in his first squad in March, but was omitted for the games against Andorra and Senegal in June, with Jordan Pickford, Trafford and Dean Henderson selected ahead of him.
Newcastle had identified Trafford as a long-term successor for Nick Pope, but the 22-year-old will return to his former club Manchester City in a £27million deal. Newcastle were also interested in the Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
It has been a difficult transfer window for the northeast side. Liverpool are interested in their striker Alexander Isak and they missed out on Dean Huijsen, João Pedro and Hugo Ekitike.
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