Newcastle United imminent transfer comes as double West Ham blow - opinion

Newcastle United are making a move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in what is set to come as a double transfer blow for West Ham ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

The Magpies are in the market for another shot-stopper to provide competition and back-up for Nick Pope at St James’ Park. The Magpies had agreed a £27 million fee with Burnley to recruit goalkeeper James Trafford but Manchester City are now set to swoop in and hijack that deal.

Ramsdale has emerged as the preferred second choice for Newcastle United, who have a busy fixture calendar next term thanks to Champions League involvement. Eddie Howe knows the player well thanks to time at AFC Bournemouth.

Newcastle United set to sign Aaron Ramsdale

While a deal is at the early stages with some disagreement over whether it will be a loan or a permanent move, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano expects that Ramsdale will become a Newcastle United player. He said: “Aaron Ramsdale already said yes to Newcastle and official bid has been sent to Southampton. High loan fee, salary covered and buy option clause. Southampton open to accepting but want higher fee. Deal expected to happen.”

That could be a double blow to West Ham, who are also in the market for a goalkeeper. Veteran Hammers shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski has left the club as a free agent and there remain question marks over whether Alphonse Areola has the capabilities to truly nail down the number one spot.

The Newcastle United swoop for Ramsdale could come as a double blow. Firstly because West Ham had been credited with interest in Ramsdale themselves.

talkSPORT claimed earlier this summer that West Ham had held talks with Southampton over a move for Ramsdale, following the Saints’ relegation to the Championship. The outlet reported that Graham Potter is a long term admirer of the former Arsenal goalkeeper with West Ham interested in a loan-to-buy deal.

West Ham could be held to ransom by Leicester City

However, Ramsdale will no longer be an option for West Ham. There is some reassurance in that links with the player had died down in recent weeks with Leicester City star Mads Hermansen emerging as the number one goalkeeping target.

Hammers News claim that Hermansen is the priority for strengthening between the sticks and that new lead goalkeeper coach Casper Ankergren had advised the board to pursue that deal.

Leicester City are expected to sanction a £20 million exit for Hermansen, according to Football Insider, but the Foxes’ bargaining power could be strengthened by Ramsdale moving to Newcastle United. West Ham have been slow in going about their goalkeeper transfer and, with the likes of Ramsdale and Trafford set to become unavailable, Leicester City will know the club is in somewhat of a desperate position.

That could lead to inflated prices should the Foxes believe that West Ham are now down to one goalkeeping target. Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes is expected to sign Asmir Begovic as a replacement and, with the former Premier League star available as a free agent, that could further help the club in holding West Ham for ransom.

In other news, West Ham handed fresh boost in bid to land Declan Rice replacement Pep Guardiola says is 'physically strong'.