Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be set for a surprise move this summer after emerging as a transfer target for Galatasaray, it has been claimed.
Ramsdale, 27, left the Gunners in a £18million plus add-ons deal last August to sign for Southampton. However, the England international endured a difficult season on the south coast. In fact, Saints were relegated from the Premier League, having finished rock bottom on 12 points from their 38 fixtures.
With Southampton set for Championship football next season, Ramsdale might be tempted to leave. and a shock new potential destination has since surfaced. According to The Sun, Galatasaray are interested in snapping-up the former Bournemouth man as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping department.
While Saints are open to letting Ramsdale depart on loan, they'd prefer a permanent exit and Arsenal could benefit from a possible sale. football.london understands that the Gunners inserted a sell-on clause in Ramsdale's contract after he departed the Emirates Stadium last summer.
As well as that, Ramsdale is said to have a £20m relegation clause - and Arsenal could pick up a sizeable windfall should Saints opt to sell him. Galatasaray are in the market for a new No.1 after club legend Fernando Muslera left in May, ending a 14-year spell where he made 551 appearances and won 19 trophies.
Losing Muslera, 39, is no doubt a major blow for Galatasaray, but they hope Ramsdale can in turn be an adequate replacement. Either way, Ramsdale would join an influx of former Premier League stars at Gala, including Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira, while Leroy Sane is expected to sign as a free agent.
Ramsdale may be keen to find a new team as he attempts to press his claim for a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup next summer. Tuchel is keen for his goalkeepers to have European experience - something Ramsdale would get in abundance at Galatasaray.
Tuchel said during the latest international break: "All our goalkeepers are not involved in European football, they're not used to European football which would be ideal. It's not a problem, Jordan [Pickford] behaves and trains at the highest level and we're very, very happy with him. He's doing everything at the moment to keep his place, because he feels that Dean [Henderson] stepped up and found another level, another gear.
"Dean got a big title with his club and was a key figure in the campaign, so that helped him a lot for his confidence. He also found a title and a decisive role at Crystal Palace. He got an important and vital title for his club and he was a big figure in this campaign. This helped his confidence a lot.
"Then we have the very young James Trafford who played a fantastic, record-breaking campaign with Burnley and got clean sheets. Hopefully he can prove himself next season in the Premier League - and then the race is on."
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