- Newcastle decide whether to keep Ramsdale
- Southampton goalkeeper is on loan at St James’ Park
- Recently displaced Nick Pope as Eddie Howe’s number one
Newcastle United have been searching for a goalkeeper for twelve months, as the club signed Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton last summer. However, it doesn’t look like the 27-year-old will be joining the club permanently.
The Northern Echo reports that the Magpies will not sign Ramsdale at the end of his loan deal, as their search goes on for a first-choice goalkeeper.
Ramsdale has been a more frequent choice between the sticks at St James’ Park recently, due to Nick Pope’s disappointing campaign. With the club’s current position in the Premier League, they will be hoping for a positive end to the season as they look to attract some of the best keepers around.
Goalkeeper troubles
Last summer, the Tyneside outfit made it clear that they were on high alert to bring a new number one to the club.
Pope has been at the club since he joined from Burnley in 2022/23, and he’s been a mainstay in Eddie Howe’s team since, but it looked like Howe is ready to take the next steps with his project, which would be without Pope.
Newcastle returned to the Clarets once again, this time to convince James Trafford to move to Tyneside.
After a long battle, Manchester City beat the St James Park outfit to the signature of the 23-year-old.
Howe turned his attention to Ramsdale, who signed for the club at the beginning of August.
Until February, he remained the second-choice keeper behind Pope, but with the 33-year-old committing a series of errors which cost the team, the English manager decided to opt for Ramsdale between the sticks.
While he has shown some great signs, including a great display in a 2-1 win over Manchester United, it seems the Black and Whites are looking for something different.
The Northern Echo claims Howe was ‘impressed by Ramsdale’s character and professionalism’, but new sporting director Ross Wilson wants a better option.
Newcastle’s goalie links
With the March international break upon us, and the news of the club refusing to sign Ramsdale, many rumours and speculations could be on the way.
The Magpies have once again been linked with Trafford, as Gianluigi Donnarumma has limited his minutes at the Etihad. He has previously spoken to the media about it not being how he imagined.
Another Premier League keeper in Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen has been linked to Tyneside, though if they are to complete a deal with the Seagulls, it could be above £40 million.
Earlier this week, there were also claims of RC Lens keeper Robin Risser potentially joining Howe’s squad. He’s had an impressive debut season at Lens, with them currently sitting in 2nd in the Ligue 1.
Newcastle will be looking to secure a reliable keeper who offers security to their defence, something Pope or Ramsdale hasn’t been able to do enough of this season.
