After watching Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town flounder, a few Leeds United supporters could be forgiven for wondering if they are actually better off in the Premier League.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things, the top-flight is where Leeds United believe they should be. From a sporting and financial perspective, promotion really could be a game changer at Elland Road too.
But, in an era where the gaps appear to be growing between those newly-promoted teams and the likes of Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves, a repeat of that thrilling top-half finish under Marcelo Bielsa in the lockdown days already feels like a bit of a pipe dream.
Each of the last six promoted teams – Burnley, Sheffield United, Luton Town, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton – are likely to have ended up suffering an immediate return to the Championship.
Southampton’s relegation was confirmed after losing at Tottenham on Sunday. Leicester and Ipswich are pretty much guaranteed to join them. As such, there are some Leeds fans wondering what awaits them in the Premier League.
Southampton may be pretty awful – historically bad – but they beat Farke’s side three times last season, lest we forget. Including once at Wembley.
The Leeds-linked Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, feels likely to lead a potential summer exodus from St Mary’s. But a warning to the team currently sitting top of the Championship. Should Leeds replace Southampton in the first division, the Yorkshire giants will not only be fighting against a growing financial gulf but recent history as well.
Aaron Ramsdale wants Premier League football amid Leeds United interest
According to football correspondent Graeme Bailey, Leeds United have identified Aaron Ramsdale as one of their goalkeeping targets ahead of the transfer window.
Daniel Farke dropped Illan Meslier for the draw at Luton Town last week. With the club’s long-serving number one finding himself in an untenable situation after a series of high-profile mistakes, a more reliable shot-stopper is likely to feature highly on Leeds’ wishlist.
The Times, meanwhile, shed some light on what could come next for an England international who, just two years ago, was a regular in the Arsenal net and a member of the 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season.
Ramsdale’s reputation has nosedived over the last couple of seasons. Not helped by a third relegation with a third different club; Sheffield United, Bournemouth and now Southampton.
Yet, with a clause in his contract meaning Southampton may have to sell Aaron Ramsdale for £25 million in the off-season, an experienced top-flight glovesman still years from his peak at the age of 26 feels like potentially excellent value for money.
However, he’s believed to be on more than £100k a week.
Ramsdale could return to Bournemouth after Southampton exit
Ramsdale, first and foremost, is prioritising a place in the Premier League for next season. He appears to have little appetite for helping Southampton bounce back. And as for Leeds, their chances rest entirely on whether Farke can get them over the line with five matchdays remaining.
“[Southampton] are not going to take a loss on him, for sure,” Bailey tells Leeds United News, feeling that a return to the Vitality Stadium may be the most likely scenario with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to end up back at Stamford Bridge.
“Ramsdale will have options, so we’ll see. He lives in Bournemouth and Kepa won’t be staying. For the moment, he will be going back to Chelsea.”
Leeds have reportedly shortlisted Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, too, along with James Trafford at promotion rivals Burnley.
Strasbourg’s Djordje Petrovic is another more left-field option, though the Chelsea loanee is keen to stay in France if Champions League football can be secured.
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