Leeds United have added Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to their summer transfer wishlist, as Illan Meslier’s record in the Championship remains inconsistent.
The debate about Illan Meslier will not go away. The Frenchman turned a corner by keeping six consecutive Championship clean sheets until the Sunderland game earlier in February, and then making a costly blunder in the following game.
Meslier scored an own goal against Sheffield United, but his blushes were spared by his colleagues’ attacking prowess, as they rallied from down to win 3-1 late at Bramall Lane.
Daniel Farke has yet again defended Meslier. But there’s no disputing that if Leeds return to the Premier League next season, the goalkeeper situation at Elland Road will be closely scrutinized.
Previous reports suggested that Leeds United were open to selling Meslier during the January transfer window. However, unless the 24-year-old wishes to leave, Farke may easily replace him with a better number one and Meslier as number two.
Leeds are reportedly interested in Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Aaron Ramsdale’s humorous story about Leeds United supporters
Leeds United are interested in Ramsdale ahead of the summer. Despite Southampton’s disastrous season in the Premier League, where they have only nine points, the former Arsenal player has been a saving grace.
With Leeds and Southampton set to swap places just a year after the Saints defeated Leeds in the Championship play-off final, Ramsdale may be tempted to go to Elland Road, as the Saints’ decline appears to be far from over.
Ramsdale has previous experience with Leeds fans. When Ramsdale was playing for Arsenal in 2021, he told the story of how Leeds fans threw money at him after their 4-1 defeat over the Gunners in West Yorkshire, with Ramsdale claiming he pocketed around £17.
Ramsdale previously stated on Ben Foster’s Cycling GK podcast that after the first goal, some bottles and other items were hurled. I flung a few lighters to the side. Suddenly, money started flowing… I looked around, and there was one £2. Well, I collect £2s, so I took them.
“Then there’s quids and 50ps, so I pick them up and place them by my towel, [then] at halftime, I put them in my towel, run off, and put them in the changing room.” The second half begins, followed by a few more, and an e-cigarette is used soon before the penalty.
“So I’ve gone back in and I’m talking to Kalvin Phillips, saying, ‘Your supporters must be loaded’ – I got approximately £17 off the pitch. And I missed some money; I couldn’t gather them all up; I returned around £17.”
Aaron Ramsdale’s “magnificent” traits make him suitable for Leeds United.
Leeds are a team that prefers to play out of the back under Farke, and he will not want to change his tactics if he returns to the Premier League. In fact, with so many other top-flight players using a similar passing approach, he may concentrate in even more on it.
He’ll need a goalie who is at ease with his feet. And Ramsdale is exactly that. Speaking in 2021, Ian Wright praised Ramsdale’s distribution, adding, “His distribution is just great. “Just magnificent.”
Ramsdale has also improved his shot-stopping abilities, having had plenty of practice at Southampton this season. If he’s available, Leeds should not hesitate to sign the 26-year-old.
