Aaron Ramsdale's career takes unexpected turn two years after £25m Arsenal exit
Aaron Ramsdale looks set to miss out on playing time this season
It appears former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will be staying put at Southampton this season - as their fourth goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old joined the Saints in a deal worth up to £25million, including add-ons, just two years ago but things have been tough for the shot-stopper since then.
He spent last season on loan at Newcastle where he played 12 times in the Premier League and 23 times in all competitions.
But the Magpies weren't willing to pursue a permanent transfer, meaning Ramsdale had to head back to parent club Southampton.
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Now boss Tonda Eckert has revealed he's fourth choice at the club, explaining to BBC Radio Solent: "The reality is that Rambo's story at the football club has started before I came in.
"We've had honest conversations from the very first day of pre-season to the last day of the transfer window and he's still a part of the group.
"The expectations for him are clear to support the team in the best way and he's been very professional in doing that so far.
"Let's see what happens. Aaron also became a father for the second time a couple of days ago, my expectation is that he is a Southampton player."
The Turkish transfer window shuts today while the Saudi transfer window shuts on Sunday, which gives Ramsdale a small period of time to somehow find a solution.
He left Arsenal in 2024 after losing his place in the starting XI to David Raya and later indicated he wanted to play, not sit around on the bench.
Southampton paid an initial £18m while the rest of the package was made up of bonuses. One of these, worth £1m, wasn't triggered as the Saints failed to avoid the drop.
Aaron Ramsdale spent last season on loan at Newcastle from Southampton(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Daniel Peretz is the club's first-choice goalkeeper after his Bayern Munich loan was made permanent this summer.
George Long is the Saints' No.2 while Jamie Jones rejoined on transfer deadline day following his release in June.
Ramsdale hasn't made any of Southampton's six matchday squads so far this season, though he has watched multiple games from the stands.
Eckert explained: "Me and the club have made a clear commitment to Daniel as our number one and that stands.
"I think he deserves that off the back of some brilliant performances in the last season, my commitment to Longy as number two stands as well.
"That group worked really well together last year as well as Jamie as the training goalkeeper and this is the way that we will go forward."
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