Manchester United have been monitoring Aaron Ramsdale’s situation at relegated Southampton
Manchester United have been linked with a shock move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as INEOS eyes a potential replacement for current No.1 Andre Onana.
Andre Onana succeeded legendary goalkeeper David de Gea in the summer of 2023, arriving at Old Trafford in a big-money move from Inter Milan. However, he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations in Manchester, making a series of high-profile errors across two seasons.
The Cameroonian has recorded the highest number of errors leading to goals by any goalkeeper in the Premier League across all competitions, a damning statistic that underlines the urgency for change in arguably the most important position in the first XI. The situation has worsened, which is something head coach Ruben Amorim will be keen to address in the summer.
Now, according to an exclusive report from The Sun, Manchester United are monitoring the situation of Aaron Ramsdale at Southampton ahead of the summer transfer window. The scouts are understood to have been watching the goalkeeper in recent games, and think his ‘Premier League experience’ could make him a strong option to address a key area of the pitch.
Ramsdale is set to leave relegated Southampton in the summer. Despite being a part of the forgettable season at the St Mary’s Stadium, the Englishman’s reputation has seemingly not been damaged, as he is still seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the country. He will want to bid goodbye to the Saints and secure a move to a Premier League club to keep up his England prospects intact under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The aforementioned report adds that West Ham United have identified Ramsdale as key target this summer to rebuild their squad under Graham Potter, meaning Man United will not have an easy route if they indeed wish to land the Southampton glovesman.
Ruben Amorim is seeking more defensive stability and organisation from the group of players he has inherited from Erik ten Hag. With Onana, who was dropped in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend, that reliability and continuity in defence are missing, as opponents are finding it very easy to score against him. His underwhelming displays have made United’s defence extremely vulnerable, as further evidenced on Thursday evening in the epic 5-4 win over Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Old Trafford.
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Thus, Amorim needs a safe pair of hands between the sticks next season to not only stabilise the entire backline but also command his box well. While Ramsdale is a Premier League-proven commodity and performed reasonably well for Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton, his CV includes three relegations from the top flight. United’s ambitions are definitely higher, so we cannot potentially make someone our No.1 who has been part of the worst Premier League defences.
That being said, INEOS must show ambition and try signing FC Porto’s Diogo Costa, who has a €75m release clause in his contract.