Southampton are again exploring the possibility of signing Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale on loan until the end of the season having revived their interest in the England goalkeeper.
The newly-promoted side are understood to have reopened talks with Arsenal over the 26-year-old after they pulled out of a move for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow. A loan bid for Ramsdale was rejected earlier this month and Southampton are expected to submit an improved offer that includes an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, although Arsenal would prefer an agreement that contains an obligation to buy.
Southampton could face competition from Ajax for Ramsdale. Wolves also tried to sign the player, who has lost his place at Arsenal to David Raya, on loan but have now turned their attentions to Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone, who will travel to Molineux for a medical ahead of a £10m move from Selhurst Park after losing his place there to Dean Henderson. Bournemouth – where Ramsdale spent three seasons before joining Sheffield United in 2020 – had shown an interest in re-signing him but have opted to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan.
Bijlow – a Netherlands international with eight senior caps – had looked set to join Southampton from Feyenoord but revealed on Tuesday that his move to St Mary’s had been cancelled due to the results of his medical. “Dear Feyenoorders, I was on my way to the Premier League,” he wrote on Instagram. “After a very special day last Sunday, for which I am very grateful, I was preparing for departure from Feyenoord. I didn’t find that easy and it wasn’t my first choice, but it had to be for the sake of my career.
“The medical examination has shown that Southampton has a different vision than Feyenoord on how to treat an old injury. I’m fully fit and this doesn’t bother me, but I respect the vision of Southampton medical staff. This is why I return to Rotterdam, to my club Feyenoord. My bond with the city and the club is iron strong. I keep fighting for a place in the goal of Feyenoord and the Dutch national team.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace look set to sign Maxence Lacroix after agreeing a deal worth up to €21m with Wolfsburg for the French defender. Palace’s initial offer worth up to £14m for Lacroix – who played under Oliver Glasner during his spell in charge of Wolfsburg – was rejected but Palace returned with a new bid that will see them pay €18m (£15.1m) up front with €3m in potential add-ons. The 24-year-old had entered the final year of his contract and is believed to have been keen to reunite with Glasner.
It is understood that Palace have yet to receive a new bid from Newcastle for captain Marc Guéhi having rejected several previous offers. The England defender played the entirety of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup win against Norwich.
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Palace are awaiting the results of a scan on Chadi Riad’s injured knee, with the Morocco international a major doubt for Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.