Southampton are making progress on a move to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal, after Wolves pulled out of the race.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal smells some smelling salts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal smells some smelling salts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

BBC reporter Nick Mashiter broke the news on Tuesday that Wolves had been priced out of a move for Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, with the overall package deemed too expensive and the deal considered off.

Wolves have instead turned to Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, negotiating a £10m deal. Wolves had reportedly offered Arsenal a loan with a £20m option (not obligation) to buy.

Mashiter added that Southampton are interested in Ramsdale, before Fabrizio Romano gave an update that Southampton and Arsenal are advancing well in negotiations. All parties are optimistic that a deal could be done soon.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on March 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on March 09, 2024. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Alex Crook of talkSPORT and James Benge of CBS Sports reported on Tuesday that Wolves were no longer likely to sign Ramsdale, and that Southampton were in the mix instead.

Crook wrote that Russell Martin is a big fan of Ramsdale, and both sources agreed that Arsenal are favouring a loan with an obligation to buy, if a straight sale can’t be done.

Ed Aarons of The Guardian reported that Southampton are exploring the possibility of signing Ramsdale on loan after pulling out of a move for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow after his medical.

According to Aarons, Southampton’s offer will include an option to buy, despite Arsenal’s preference for an obligation, and they could face competition from Ajax.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal reacts during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal reacts during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Bournemouth had also been interested in Ramsdale at one point, but they’ve opted instead to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan.

Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports News suggests Arsenal’s demands for the permanent fee in a deal for Ramsdale will need to come down if Southampton or Ajax are to do a deal. But it seems talks are going well between the Gunners and the Saints right now.

Ramsdale played 11 times for Arsenal in 2023/24, and he’s expressed a preference to play more regularly this season.