Leeds United ‘line up Aaron Ramsdale transfer’ as release clause details emerge
Leeds United are on course for promotion to the Premier League this season and are already eyeing up summer transfer targets, with Aaron Ramsdale among their targets,
Daniel Farke’s Whites sit five points clear at the top of the Championship with a seven-point cushion in the automatic promotion places, following their recent victories over Sunderland and Sheffield United.
Leeds produced comebacks within the final minutes to dispatch two direct promotion rivals in back-to-back Monday night wins, leaving them on 75 points with 12 games left and the title firmly in their sights.
United, however, are under no illusions that despite having squad absolutely packed with quality, they’ll need to strengthen in several positions to stand any chance of staying in the Premier League next term.
Leeds United alerted to £25m Aaron Ramsdale transfer clause
Leeds will certainly be looking to add more quality between the sticks if and when their top-flight place is secured, with Illan Meslier looking shaky on several occasions and not trustworthy at the highest level.
England goalkeeper Ramsdale, however, could be available for the Whites to sign this summer, with TBR Football reporting on 25 February that both Leeds and Brentford are “monitoring” his situation.
Ramsdale looks set to exit Southampton with Saints all-but relegated, and as per TBR’s report, the 26-year-old’s contract includes a relegation release clause, which Leeds could trigger.
It’s currently unclear what the price of Ramsdale’s release clause is – that’s expected to become clearer by the summer – but Saints are likely to break even on the £25million they paid Arsenal for him in August.
Recruiting Ramsdale a no-brainer for bullish Leeds United
Ramsdale could well opt for Brentford over a move to Elland Road – or to Chelsea or Newcastle given their previous interest – if and when he leaves St. Mary’s this summer, if only to avoid a relegation scrap.
The Southampton stopper is on course to be relegated for the third time in his career, having already suffered back-to-back demotions with Bournemouth and Sheffield United in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Clean Sheets |
| 2019/20 | Bournemouth | 37 | 5 |
| 2020/21 | Sheffield United | 38 | 5 |
| 2021/22 | Arsenal | 34 | 12 |
| 2022/23 | Arsenal | 38 | 14 |
| 2023/24 | Arsenal | 6 | 2 |
| 2024/25 | Southampton | 19 | 2 |
However, his quality between the sticks is proven by his three-year spell in Arsenal’s net, the second of which saw Mikel Arteta’s side go their closest to a first title in 20 years with Ramsdale an ever-present.
Most sides, particularly those in the bottom half of the table, would therefore be glad to have Ramsdale at the back, and Farke will be no different as he looks to steer his side away from the relegation zone.
An upgrade on Meslier is sorely needed this summer – arguably ahead of any other position – and while Leeds have been linked with a variety of goalkeepers, Ramsdale may prove to be their best bet.