Newcastle United have an option to sign Aaron Ramsdale permanently from Southampton this summer.
Ramsdale joined the Magpies last summer on a season-long loan from Southampton with an option to make the move permanent for £20million.
The 28-year-old made 23 appearances across the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup this season after reuniting with Howe on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe hails ‘unbelievable’ Aaron Ramsdale
Howe signed Ramsdale for AFC Bournemouth in January 2017, working together for three-and-a-half years before both leaving in the same summer. Howe stepped down as Cherries boss following their relegation from the Premier League, while Ramsdale re-joined his former club, Sheffield United.
Ramsdale was then relegated with the Blades before transferring to Arsenal, where he spent three years before returning to the South Coast with Southampton.
After Newcastle missed out on James Trafford to Manchester City last year, Howe moved to bring in Ramsdale.
"I've really enjoyed working with Aaron again, I think he's an unbelievable lad,” Howe said. “Every time that I've worked with him, I've always had a great feeling about his personality and what he brings to the group - very, very positive guy.
"He's actually become part of the squad so quickly and a really positive part of the squad. Very good off the pitch, very good in supporting the goalkeeper that's playing and he's played a lot of games this year. I think he'd be really pleased with his return in terms of minutes and what he's given the team.
"I think we've seen a big improvement from the moment that he came to his level, his training performances, his game performances I think have been really strong.”
Newcastle United won’t be triggering Aaron Ramsdale clause
Despite Howe’s high praise for Ramsdale, it’s understood that the Magpies won’t be triggering the clause to make his stay permanent.
It’s no secret that Newcastle are targeting a new goalkeeper this summer, with neither Pope or Ramsdale able to fully grasp the number one jersey this term.
Howe continued: "Let's see what happens in the next stage of his career, we're not in control of what happens with his future, that'll be Southampton's choice but I can only speak really highly of him."
Ramsdale will return to Southampton, who will remain in the Championship next season after they were excluded from the play-offs after spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
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