West Ham are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Lukasz Fabianski was released and they have been heavily linked with Southampton star Aaron Ramsdale.
Graham Potter took many by surprise with his decision not to extend the contract of veteran West Ham goalkeeper and fan favourite Lukasz Fabianski.
Many felt the 40-year-old had proved he was deserving of a new one-year contract, but Potter thought otherwise.
That has left West Ham needing to sign a new goalkeeper this summer transfer window – and they have been consistently linked with Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale since Potter’s arrival.
West Ham were reportedly in the mix for Caoimhin Kelleher but missed out to Brentford.
Hammers in the market for a new goalkeeper
The Hammers have also been linked with Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu, as reported by The Athletic.
Chelsea have announced their brilliant 25-year-old Serbian international Djorde Petrovic is for sale as talks with West Ham continue over Mohammed Kudus and several Blues outcasts.
Petrovic has not travelled to the Club World Cup so that he can sort a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.
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And his only priority is joining a club where he will be the number one goalkeeper after winning player of the year on loan at Strasbourg.
Over the weekend it was also confirmed West Ham are keen on Leicester star Mads Hermansen – who used to work with the club’s new incoming goalkeeper coach.
Aaron Ramsdale in action during Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC in the Premier League
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
The West Ham link that has refused to go away, though, is that of Ramsdale.
Back in April, it was revealed West Ham want Saints star Ramsdale as their new number one.
Kelleher was also mentioned in that report but it was stated Ramsdale was Potter’s prime goalkeeper target.
Many West Ham fans have voiced their disapproval at links to the former Arsenal stopper.
Ramsdale has been labelled ‘the Relegator’ and ‘cursed’ by football fans.
Major update on West Ham move for Ramsdale
That’s after he was demoted from the Premier League for the third time in his career with the Saints.
Hammers News confirmed recently, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that West Ham have indeed spoken to Ramsdale’s representatives about a move.
The former Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Arsenal man has a £20 million relegation clause in his contract.
Now there is a major update on a West Ham move for Ramsdale as the Saints owner speaks out.
Dragan Solak has revealed that Ramsdale is indeed pushing for a move to a top flight club to keep his England place in a World Cup year.
Solak has all but confirmed the 27-year-old is now set to leave Southampton.
Arsenal FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Saints owner suggests loan exit might be on cards for Ramsdale
But the owner claims Ramsdale loves Southampton so much, he is actually willing to only leave on loan for a season with the view to returning to St Mary’s if they get promoted back to the Premier League.
“We unfortunately are not sure that Ramsdale is going to stay, even though he loves the club,” Solak told The Echo.
“He’s even personally looking at all the options of how he would go and come back if we are promoted, because he loves the place and he loves the club.”
With money tight and other positions a more pressing priority, a loan deal might actually suit West Ham down to the ground.
Because it would mean less outlay and would give both the Hammers and Ramsdale the chance to see if the move is a good fit for a season before committing to anything more permanent.
Loan might suit West Ham over shelling out big fee
And if Ramsdale does then return to Southampton, it at least gives West Ham a year to find a new goalkeeper for the long term.
Solak’s comments are not the only significant update to West Ham’s interest in Ramsdale, though.
Because The Times now claims Galatasaray are now also interested in signing the England man on loan for the season.
The report reiterates West Ham’s interest and says the Turkish giants are now rivalling Potter for Ramsdale.
Ramsdale earns around £100k-per-week at Southampton and has three years left on his deal.
Current West Ham number one Alphonse Areola is one of the club’s highest earners on £120k-per-week.
The Frenchman has been error-prone over the last 18 months and has been linked with a move away this summer.