How Newcastle United & Eddie Howe feel about signing Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton | OneFootball

Aaron Ramsdale is currently on loan at Newcastle United from Southampton

Southampton are in the mix for a play-off place despite a disastrous first half of the campaign.

The Saints are aiming to return to the Premier League at the first attempt after they finished 20th in the top flight table last season.

Will Still was appointed manager in the summer, but he only survived until November before Tonda Eckert took charge on an initial interim basis.

The team’s form improved immediately under the 33-year-old, which led to the club appointing him as the permanent successor in the dugout.

The Hampshire outfit have played their way back into top six contention, with the side just four points adrift of sixth place Wrexham.

With 11 games still to play, Southampton are fighting the likes of Bristol City, Watford and Derby County in their bid to break into the play-off places.

Eddie Howe provides Aaron Ramsdale update

Aaron Ramsdale is currently on loan at Newcastle United from Southampton, but the Magpies have an option to buy clause as part of the deal.

According to Chronicle Live, Eddie Howe is keen on keeping the goalkeeper following his impact on the team this season.

It is understood that a deal can be completed for around £20 million, and that the player is hopeful of remaining at St. James’ Park.

Ramsdale made his first Premier League appearance of 2026 on Wednesday night, playing an important role in the side’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.

Following the victory, The Newcastle boss praised the shot-stopper’s work ethic and that the improvements he’s made were crucial to his match-winning performance against Michael Carrick’s side.

"Yeah, with Aaron, we have signed a goalkeeper we know and have worked with before,” said Howe, via Chronicle Live.

"But I think, when you compare Aaron now with the Aaron that signed for the club he's done an incredible amount of work with the goalkeeper coaches.

“A lot more than Nick, who has been playing.

"Nick's training has been dramatically reduced because Aaron has not been playing so I think credit to Aaron and the goalkeeping coaches for the work he has done.

"He has been faultless.

“He has been improving and in part that is why you credit him tonight because he has worked so hard behind the scenes.

"His attitude around the club has been top drawer and I'm delighted for him to get that moment."

He’s also featured two times in the Champions League, including in their recent 3-2 win against Qarabag at St. James’ Park.

Meanwhile, Southampton are seventh in the Championship table, with just four points separating Eckert’s side from the play-off places.

The Saints agreed to a deal with Newcastle for Ramsdale last summer after he spent just one year at St. Mary’s.

The 27-year-old joined from Arsenal in the 2024 transfer window, and he played 30 times in the Premier League for the club.

Next up for the Hampshire outfit is an FA Cup fifth round clash away to top flight team Fulham, with the sides set to meet on 8 March in a 12pm kick-off.

A £20m fee for Ramsdale would be good business for Southampton

If Southampton complete this permanent sale of Ramsdale in the summer, then a fee of around £20 million would be good business for the club.

The 27-year-old has mostly been second choice for Newcastle, but he showed on Wednesday night that he still has a role to play in the team regardless.

While Southampton’s own goalkeeping situation will need to be resolved in the summer due to Daniel Peretz only being in the team on loan, the £20 million fee can go towards finding that solution.

If the Saints fail to gain promotion, then it would add some much-needed funds to boost their potential transfer budget for the summer window.