Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale in talks to seal shock transfer reunion as 'offer' submitted

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale looks set for an immediate return to the Premier League with Newcastle in talks to sign him from Southampton, as per Sky Sports.

The 27-year-old suffered a third relegation of his career last season with Saints finishing rock bottom of England's top-flight and thus sealing an immediate return to the Championship. Last summer, he was signed by the Premier League newcomers in a deal worth up to £25million from Arsenal.

Ramsdale had spent most of the previous campaign on the bench after David Raya was signed on loan from Brentford and later purchased permanently. With it clear he was not going to play much at Emirates Stadium, a move to the south coast was a no-brainer.

"If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me," he told BBC One's Football Focus when asked about the move.

"I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench. Getting out and playing was my aim so I'm lucky I found myself here at Southampton."

However, Ramsdale is unlikely to want to be playing in the Championship and thus an exit from St Mary's has been the expectation. West Ham United were linked earlier in the window but it looks as though Newcastle are now favourites to land his signature.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has claimed talks are now ongoing and that Eddie Howe, who had Ramsdale as one of his shot-stoppers during his time at Bournemouth, was actually interested in signing him last summer.

Having missed out on a deal for James Trafford, who is set to return to Manchester City, the Magpies' attention turned onto Ramsdale. The Athletic's David Ornstein has since added that a loan offer that includes a buy-option has been put forward.

Southampton are considering a sale but would want a significant loan fee if he only departs temporarily. Arsenal will be hoping that he does seal a permanent move as a sell-on clause was inserted into his Saints switch, as football.london understands

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