Leeds United have added Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to their summer transfer wishlist, amid Illan Meslier’s continued mixed form in the Championship.
The debate around Illan Meslier simply won’t go away. The Frenchman turned a corner with six-straight clean sheets in the Championship up until the Sunderland game earlier in February, and before a costly error in the next.
Meslier scored an own goal against Sheffield United but his blushes were spared by the attacking quality of his teammates, who came from behind to win 3-1 late on at Bramall Lane.
Daniel Farke has once again defended Meslier. But there’s no denying that the goalkeeper department at Elland Road will need to come under serious scrutiny should Leeds return to the Premier League for next season.
There was previous reports that Leeds United were open to selling Meslier in the January transfer window. But Farke may simply choose to replace him with a better no.1 and use Meslier as no.2, unless the 24-year-old wants out.
And one name who Leeds are said to fancy is Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Aaron Ramsdale’s hilarious story about the Leeds United fans
Leeds United are interested in Ramsdale ahead of the summer. The former Arsenal man has been a saving grace for Southampton this season, despite their woeful campaign in the top flight with just nine points on the board so far.
With Leeds and Southampton looking set to trade places, just a year after the Saints beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final, Ramsdale could be inclined to move to Elland Road with the Saints’ freefall looking like it could continue well beyond this season.
And Ramsdale already has experience with the Leeds faithful. In 2021 when playing for Arsenal, Ramsdale shared the story of how the Leeds fans were throwing money at him during their 4-1 defeat against the Gunners in West Yorkshire, with Ramsdale saying he pocketed about £17 that game.
Ramsdale previously revealed on Ben Foster’s Cycling GK podcast: “After the first [goal], there were some bottles and stuff thrown… a few lighters, and I chucked them off to the side. The next thing you know, money started coming on… I’m looking around and there was one £2. Well, I collect £2s, so I took that.
“Then there’s quids and 50ps, so I’m picking them up and I put them by my towel, [then] at half time I put them in my towel, I run off and put them in the changing room. Second half comes, a few more come, and then an e-cig comes on just before the penalty.
“So I’ve gone back in and I’m speaking to Kalvin Phillips, going ‘your fans must be loaded’ – it was about £17 I pulled off the pitch. And I’ve missed some money – I couldn’t pick them all up – it was about £17 I took back in.”
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‘Magnificent’ Aaron Ramsdale trait makes him ideal for Leeds United
Leeds are a team who like to play out from the back under Farke, and he won’t want to change his tactics upon possibly returning to the Premier League. In fact, he might hone in even more so on this passing style with many others in the top flight playing a similar style.
For that, he’ll need a goalkeeper who’s comfortable with his feet. And Ramsdale is just that. Speaking in 2021, Ian Wright hailed Ramsdale’s distribution, saying: “His distribution is absolutely fantastic. Just magnificent.”
Since, Ramsdale has also improved his shot-stopping ability too, getting a lot of practise in at Southampton this season. If he’s available then Leeds shouldn’t think twice about moving for the 26-year-old.
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