Newcastle United can trigger £20m clause to sign 'unbelievable lad' - Eddie Howe loves him
Newcastle United aren’t expected to sign Aaron Ramsdale permanently from Southampton this summer.
Eddie Howe can ‘only speak highly’ of Aaron Ramsdale as the goalkeeper’s time at Newcastle United comes to an end.
Ramsdale joined the Magpies last summer on a season-long loan from Southampton with an option to make the move permanent for £20million.
The 28-year-old has made 23 appearances across the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup this season after reuniting with Howe on Tyneside.
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Eddie Howe hails ‘unbelievable’ Aaron Ramsdale
Howe signed Ramsdale for AFC Bournemouth in January 2017, working together for three-and-a-half-years before both leaving in the same summer. Howe stepped down as Cherries boss following their relegation from the Premier League, while Ramsdale rejoined his former club, Sheffield United.
"I've really enjoyed working with Aaron again, I think he's an unbelievable lad,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “Every time that I've worked with him, I've always had a great feeling about his personality and what he brings to the group - very, very positive guy.
"He's actually become part of the squad so quickly and a really positive part of the squad. Very good off the pitch, very good in supporting the goalkeeper that's playing and he's played a lot of games this year. I think he'd be really pleased with his return in terms of minutes and what he's given the team.
"I think we've seen a big improvement from the moment that he came to his level, his training performances, his game performances I think have been really strong.”
Newcastle United unlikely to trigger Aaron Ramsdale clause
Despite Howe’s high praise for Ramsdale, it’s understood that the Magpies won’t be triggering the clause to make his stay permanent.
It’s no secret that Newcastle are targeting a new goalkeeper this summer with neither Pope or Ramsdale able to fully grasp the number one jersey this term.
Howe continued: "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."
Ramsdale will return to Southampton, who will remain in the Championship next season after they excluded from the play-offs after spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.