Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is currently being linked with a return to the Premier League in the summer transfer window
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma(Image: Justin Setterfield – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Over the weekend, Manchester United were linked with perhaps one of the most outlandish transfers this summer in the form of PSG’s Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The word from the French press is that Donnarumma could genuinely be on the way out of the Paris club having entered the final year of his contract. Talks between PSG and their No.1 have stalled in recent weeks and it now seems like Luis Enrique’s side are open to selling him to avoid a walkout for free next summer.
United and Manchester City are believed to have shown interest in the Italian but the issue from the Reds’ perspective is, as has been the common theme this summer, money. MEN Sport understands there is no budget for a new first choice ‘keeper and any suggestion of Andre Onana being sold to make room for one, is wide of the mark.
That being said, it is not helping Onana or the team that United do not have a credible alternative at the club. Altay Bayindir was drafted in last season to provide some relief for the Cameroonian but, the performance against Arsenal notwithstanding, he has never been seen as a credible first choice.
So what are United to do? They probably cannot afford PSG’s as of yet unknown price tag and they perhaps should not continue with the tried, tested and ultimately failed system they currently have.
Thankfully for United, there is an alternative. Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is looking to return to the Premier League this summer having been relegated with the Saints last term.
Aaron Ramsdale pictured during Southampton’s tour of Spain
While he may have shipped more goals than any other ‘keeper in the 2024/25 Premier League season (66), he does rank second for the amount of saves he produced. Let’s be frank, Ramsdale’s goal was peppered on the south coast and thus some of his statistics will be skewed.
But, there is a reason why he has remained around the England set-up and a goalkeeper with his experience for relatively little cost, is unheard of. Sky Sports News understands that Newcastle are negotiating with the Saints over a loan with an option to buy Ramsdale and if United were smart, they would join the race too.
A loan with the option, not obligation, to buy is the best possible deal for the Reds as they would get a top quality ‘keeper to provide competition to Onana while also getting a full season to determine whether or not he is worth signing permanently. At this point, you would like to think that United are back in Europe but perhaps baby steps should be taken for now.
This is perhaps the best, low cost option available to strengthen a position that is not a priority but would be good to have. Competition for places only breeds higher performance levels and that’s what United will be hoping comes out of this but, they will need to act quick.
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