There is one key factor which may yet prove decisive in West Ham United’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper. And, in particular, their pursuit of Southampton and England glovesman Aaron Ramsdale.
In an ideal world, Graham Potter would prefer his goalkeeper to operate as the first line of attack, as well as the last line of defence.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion, Swansea City and Chelsea boss likes a number one who can play out from the back.
Now, distribution is clearly not one of Alphonse Areola’s strong suits.
On the final day of a miserable Premier League season, West Ham United’s number one gifted a goal to Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White as he passed straight to the midfielder at the edge of the penalty area.
So any goalkeeper stepping into Areola’s shoes, and inheriting his gloves, must be an upgrade both in the shot-stopping department and also in terms of distribution.
And here is where Aaron Ramsdale comes in.
Graham Potter a big fan as West Ham eye Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Hammers News can confirm, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that West Ham have spoken to Aaron Ramsdale’s representatives.
The former Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Arsenal man is understood to have a £25 million relegation clause in his contract. What’s more, Hammers News have been told that Graham Potter believes Ramsdale is a good fit for the system he is attempting to put in place at the London Stadium.
Especially during his impressive first season at Arsenal – a season in which he was included in the PFA Team of the Year – Ramsdale excelled as a ball-playing goalkeeper under the watch of Mikel Arteta.
“He is a great character,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said. “[In Ramsdale and David Raya, we have] two top goalkeepers, with different qualities, and both so good on the ball and in the goal as well.”
“His distribution is absolutely fantastic,” agreed Gunners legend Ian Wright. “Just magnificent.”
Of course, the fact that Ramsdale has been relegated from the Premier League three times with three different clubs – Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Southampton – has the more superstitious members of the West Ham fanbase wary.
However, you would be hard pressed finding any Southampton fans laying the blame for their dreadful 2024/25 campaign at his door.
West Ham linked with Noah Atubolu but Caoimhin Kelleher is Brentford-bound
As far as other options go, West Ham are interested in Noah Atubolu of Freiburg, according to The Athletic.
West Ham were in the mix for Caoimhin Kelleher, too. A man once labelled the finest back-up goalkeeper in football by Jurgen Klopp is now on his way to Brentford for a bargain £12.5 million, however, robbing the Hammers of arguably the best pound-for-pound option on the market.
There are suggestions that Graham Potter could reunite with Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez. Sanchez became Brighton’s number one alongside the now-Hammers boss, largely thanks to his confidence with the ball at his feet.
As for West Ham’s current number one, Alphonse Areola has been linked with Espanyol. The La Liga outfit reportedly see the one-time Real Madrid and Villarreal giant as a potential successor for the much-coveted Joan Garcia.
Lukasz Fabianski has rejected a return to Poland, meanwhile, with Legia Warsaw.
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