West Ham Target £25m Goalkeeper Signing as Areola Replacement Following Exit Confirmation
Graham Potter targets Aaron Ramsdale to bolster West Ham’s goalkeeping ranks, sources reveal.
West Ham United are preparing for a summer overhaul, with several first-team players set to depart.
Danny Ings, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, and Aaron Cresswell will all leave the club at the end of the season, prompting a reshuffle across multiple positions.
Fabianski’s exit creates an immediate need for a new goalkeeper. According to Football Insider, the Hammers are eyeing Aaron Ramsdale as a significant upgrade on both the veteran Pole and current first-choice Alphonse Areola.
While Areola has shown flashes of quality, his inconsistency has mirrored West Ham’s erratic form throughout the campaign.
Sources report that West Ham have been alerted to Ramsdale’s availability due to a relegation release clause in his Southampton contract.
This clause, triggered by the Saints’ drop from the Premier League, could make him an accessible option.
As a result, Ramsdale has emerged as a top target, with West Ham reportedly placing him high on their summer shortlist.
Football Insider previously revealed the release clause to be around £20 million, though it could increase to £25 million depending on performance-related conditions.
Despite this, the Hammers believe the England international represents a clear upgrade. However, co-owner David Sullivan may be hesitant about the financial outlay required.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has backed Ramsdale as the standout option among goalkeepers available this summer.
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson said he would prioritise signing Ramsdale above all others, but whether West Ham’s board shares that view remains uncertain.
The race to sign Ramsdale is intensifying, with several Premier League clubs—including Leeds, Newcastle, and Manchester United—reportedly showing interest.
Leeds, recently promoted from the Championship, have also been encouraged by Robinson to pursue Ramsdale.
Newcastle could offer the 26-year-old Champions League football and a reunion with Eddie Howe, his former Bournemouth boss.
If West Ham are serious about acquiring Ramsdale, manager Julen Lopetegui will hope the club moves swiftly.
Competition is fierce, and the longer the saga drags on, the greater the risk of losing out to rival suitors.
In the midst of a summer rebuild, securing a dependable goalkeeper like Ramsdale could be a crucial step for West Ham in solidifying their ambitions for the upcoming campaign.
