- Southampton star hints at summer decision
- Newcastle United hold £20 million purchase option
- Eddie Howe swapping between Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale this summer
Newcastle United are set to avoid splurging £20 million on a Southampton star this summer after a post made by a player’s wife following the 3-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The final fixture of the season at St James’ Park provided Magpies stalwarts Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth the perfect opportunity to say goodbye to the fanbase.
Both Trippier and Krafth played big roles in helping the club transition to Saudi ownership over the past five years and were given a fond farewell. The win over West Ham may also have been the last home game for players linked with a transfer exit this summer, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Aaron Ramsdale set for Newcastle United exit
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Another of Eddie Howe’s first team stars who is set to have played his last match in black and white at St James’ Park is Aaron Ramsdale. The 28-year-old is on loan at Newcastle from Southampton this season.
Ramsdale has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far this season and had claimed the number one spot at the start of March. The shot-stopper started five Premier League matches in a row.
However, after three back-to-back defeats against Sunderland, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth – conceding six goals – Nick Pope was restored to the starting XI.
When Newcastle announced the signing of Ramsdale on loan last season, it came with confirmation that the club held an option to buy the player at £20 million come the end of the season.
Given Ramsdale’s lack of minutes, splurging that fee on the star had seemed unlikely. However, with Pope linked with a potential summer transfer exit, it remained a possibility for the Magpies.
The former Arsenal man does appear to be headed back to Southampton. Following the West Ham game, his wife Georgina shared a photo of the couple and their child on Instagram stood on the St James’ Park turf. She wrote: “Thank you for some of the best memories Newcastle.”
The message clearly reads as a goodbye with the feeling that Ramsdale has been made aware of his future by the club.
Eddie Howe praises Southampton loanee
The goalkeeper is certainly of Premier League quality, with 195 top flight appearances to his name. Ramsdale has spent time in League One and League Two but has just two Championship outings to his name.
The Saints, who are set to compete for a place in the Premier League in the Championship play-off final against Hull City this weekend, have Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz as their number one.
However, the 25-year-old is only on loan, and his summer departure could open up a berth for Ramsdale at the south coast once again.
Speaking about Ramsdale in March, Howe said: “Yeah, with Aaron, we have signed a goalkeeper we know and have worked with before.
“But I think, when you compare Aaron now with the Aaron that signed for the club he’s done an incredible amount of work with the goalkeeper coaches. A lot more than Nick, who has been playing.
“Nick’s training has been dramatically reduced because Aaron has not been playing so I think credit to Aaron and the goalkeeping coaches for the work he has done. He has been faultless.
“He has been improving and in part that is why you credit him tonight because he has worked so hard behind the scenes. His attitude around the club has been top drawer and I’m delighted for him to get that moment.”
In other news, Everton and Aston Villa can forget about trying to sign £60m Newcastle United star.
