Southampton have named their price for Aaron Ramsdale, who has made a decision on his long-term future at Newcastle United.
Ramsdale joined Newcastle United on loan from Southampton in August, although the deal did not include an obligation to buy him permanently next summer.
Newcastle United paid £4million to sign Ramsdale on loan and the goalkeeper has since started only two games for Eddie Howe, both of which have come in the Carabao Cup.
Howe has confirmed that Ramsdale is happy at Newcastle but he does face quite the battle to move past Nick Pope in the pecking order at the club.
While Pope has been criticised at times, he remains a key player under Howe and has now worked his way back into the England set-up. Still, despite all that, Ramsdale is eager to stay.
Newcastle United's Aaron Ramsdale celebrates against Tottenham Hotspur
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale keen to stay at Newcastle United
According to The Chronicle, Ramsdale wants to make his move to St James’ Park a permanent affair.
Parent club Southampton are struggling in the Championship and the England international would be prepared to become a Newcastle player on a full-time basis.
Having such a strong goalkeeper in reserve is thought to have helped Pope push on this season.
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The report adds that Ramsdale gets on well with the Newcastle United coaching staff.
Saints, for their part, are expected to demand over £20million for the 27-year-old, although it remains to be seen if they knock his loan fee off that.
Southampton demand surely throws spanner in the works for Newcastle United
Signing Ramsdale on a permanent basis would make sense for Newcastle. He’s clearly settled in well and has impressed when given a rare chance.
Still, Southampton’s sizeable demand isn’t to be taken lightly. Ramsdale wasn’t Newcastle’s first choice this summer and isn’t that much younger than Pope.
Newcastle wanted James Trafford to replace Pope over the next few years. Clearly, they were initially looking for a younger goalkeeper, one who could develop over many years.
Paying that amount of money for a back-up ‘keeper of his age would be a big call.