Exclusive: Fulham, Wolves and Brighton Join Race for Aaron Ramsdale After Southampton Relegation

Fulham, Wolves and Brighton have joined the race to sign Southampton shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, SportsBoom understands.

England international Ramsdale is wanted by West Ham with the Saints having been relegated from the Premier League last season.

But it has now emerged that the Seagulls have expressed interested in trying to beat the Hammers to a deal now the summer transfer window has re-opened (1-10 June) for ten days before the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Ramsdale is believed to command a salary of £125k a week and the Saints will struggle to pay that now they are in the Championship.

And even though 27-year-old keeper Ramsdale is under contract until June 2028, he is now likely to leave St Mary’s after just one season as he looks for a new club to play for in the Premier League.

Ramsdale joined Southampton in a four-year deal reportedly worth £25million, but as with many clubs who get relegated to the second tier, the five-cap senior England international wants to play at the highest level.

And that’s why Saints are happy to entertain offers for the keep who made 32 appearances for them last season, one which saw them finish rock bottom of the Premier League with just 12 points from 38 games.

TRIPLE RELEGATIONS

Amazingly, Ramsdale has been relegated with three different clubs despite his best efforts.

But the experienced keeper still remains a solid option between the posts, with the Hammers the first club to have made their intentions clear about a move.

However, Fulham, Wolves and Brighton all believe they can offer Ramsdale the chance to shine next season and win his place back in the national squad with guaranteed regular football.

Ramsdale made his breakthrough Premier League season with Bournemouth in 2019-20 before a couple of loan spells before a move to Sheffield United for the 2020-21 season.

After relegation with the Blades that season, Ramsdale joined the Gunners and enjoyed two seasons in the top-flight before falling down the pecking order with the arrival of Spanish international shot-stopper David Raya.

But last season the keeper equipped himself well despite playing in a side with the worst defensive record in the Premier League.