Newcastle United exit imminent as Leeds United linked with swoop for £20m former Arsenal star
Newcastle United transfers: Aaron Ramsdale is set to be on the move again this summer.
Newcastle United are set to confirm the expiration of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan move from Southampton this week.
Ramsdale spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Newcastle from the Saints, making 23 appearances across all competitions.
Newcastle have an option to make the loan deal permanent for £20million this summer but are set to confirm the option won’t be triggered and Ramsdale will return to Southampton.
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Aaron Ramsdale facing uncertain future
But with the Saints missing out on promotion back to the Premier League following the ‘Spygate’ scandal, keeping the five-time England international at St Mary’s for the 2026/27 Championship could prove difficult.
Southampton banked a significant loan fee from Newcastle for Ramsdale last summer and could look to cash in this transfer window.
Saints owner Dragan Solak admitted last summer that Ramsdale would not play in the Championship but could return should the club be promoted back to the Premier League.
"He's even personally looking at all the options of how he would go and come back if we are promoted because he loves the place and he loves the club,” Solak told the Daily Echo prior to Ramsdale joining Newcastle last summer.
"But generally we understand that he needs to stay within the Premier League level of football to achieve his goals and we will not stop that.”
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has admitted that the decision on Ramsdale’s future lies with Southampton despite the Magpies having a buy option.
But the Newcastle boss gave the goalkeeper a glowing endorsement.
"Let's see what happens in the next stage of his career, we're not in control of what happens with his future, that'll be Southampton's choice but I can only speak really highly of him,” Howe explained last month.
Leeds United interest
With Ramsdale likely to be available this summer, there are several clubs likely to be interested in signing the 28-year-old.
Leeds United hold a long-standing interest in the former Arsenal and Bournemouth shot-stopper and their current goalkeeper situation is uncertain with Karl Darlow’s current deal set the expire at the end of the month.