Newly promoted Premier League outfit Sunderland will reportedly look to sign 27-year-old English international Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton this summer.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Aaron Ramsdale is the subject of interest from Sunderland. The Black Cats are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. So, the 27-year-old Southampton shot-stopper has emerged as a target for the newly promoted Premier League club.

The 2024/25 EFL Championship promotion playoff winners have already contacted Ramsdale’s representatives, with the Englishman open to moving to the Stadium of Light. However, Sunderland will face stiff competition from Leeds United for the Southampton goalkeeper’s signature, with the Saints demanding £25 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window.

Aaron Ramsdale and an enigmatic career

Aaron Ramsdale has endured one of the most frustrating careers in the last half a decade despite being among the most dependable goalkeepers in the Premier League. The 27-year-old has suffered relegation from the top flight with three clubs since the 2019/20 season, going down to the EFL Championship with Bournemouth, Sheffield United, and Southampton.

The English international did not do much wrong in those campaigns while enjoying a fruitful yet frustrating spell with Arsenal between 2021 and 2024. Ramsdale has kept only four clean sheets in 32 games for Southampton while conceding 68 goals. However, a swift return to the Premier League may be on the cards, with Sunderland and Leeds United vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Premier League return on the horizon?

Leeds United’s interest in Aaron Ramsdale is understandable. The Whites are eager to bolster their goalkeeping unit in the summer transfer window after Illan Meslier’s dreadful 2024/25 campaign. So, the 2024/25 EFL Championship winners are keen on signing a top-notch goalkeeper. Ramsdale has thus emerged as a viable target for Leeds United.

As for Sunderland, the 2024/25 EFL Championship promotion playoff winners also have a similar issue, as Regis Le Bris wants a better player between the sticks than Anthony Patterson in the 2025/26 season. So, several candidates, including the Bournemouth-bound Djordje Petrovic, have emerged on the newly promoted Premier League club’s radar, with Ramsdale also an option worth considering.

Southampton will demand around £25 million to part ways with the 27-year-old Englishman, although they are open to a loan departure. Meanwhile, Ramsdale’s representatives are in contact with Sunderland, with the Black Cats intensifying their efforts to sign him. So, it will be interesting to see if they can beat Leeds United to the £25 million-rated English international.