This shocking Premier League move has Arsenal fans conflicted

Aaron Ramsdale seems destined to sign for Newcastle United on a loan deal, with an option to buy clause added. The reaction from Arsenal fans has been mixed with some expressing shock that he could be moving to a genuine rival.

Transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, announced on X this morning that an agreement is close between Newcastle and Southampton.

Romano's announcement builds on David Ornstein's piece in the Athletic outlining the nature of the deal. In his post, Ornstein suggests that Saints might consider a sale or a loan. That's if if they decide not to keep the former Arsenal and England keeper.

Southampton would probably prefer Ramsdale to go out on loan

Southampton would probably prefer Ramsdale to go out on loan this summer, according to sources. Sport Republic have one eye on him returning to St Mary's should the club get promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The concern that Ramsdale would be signing for a genuine Premier League rival, if he joined Newcastle, has not gone unnoticed by some fans. @FutbolBanter90 commented on X that Ramsdale is a “Great goalkeeper but would now be a genuine rival to Arsenal.”

The increasing likelihood of Newcastle failing to retain Alexander Isak, missing out on Hugo Ekitike and having a bid for Benjamin Sesko hijacked by Manchester United diminishes Newcastle's tag of genuine rivals. Nevertheless, Eddie Howe's team could well put a proverbial spanner in the works for title chasing clubs as the season unfolds.

Ramsdale's fall from grace has not been an elegant one

Ramsdale's fall from grace since leaving Arsenal has not been an elegant one. After finding himself second choice behind David Raya, Ramsdale opted for a Premier League move rather than stay and fight for his place at the Emirates. At the time, Ramsdale was in contention for a place in the England squad and sitting on the bench would have done little to improve his chances in that regard.

Things went very badly indeed at St Mary's. First, Ramsdale found himself behind the leakiest defence in the Premier League in a team that focused primarily on ball retention and playing out from the back. Then, with the Saints already adrift at the bottom of the table, he suffered a fractured finger that kept him out of action and forced him to withdraw from the England squad.

Relegation with Southampton followed, earning Ramsdale the unwanted honour of having three Premier League relegations to his name. Fans of Southampton, Bournemouth, and Sheffield United will no doubt agree that if anyone deserves a run of luck at a high profile team, it's him.

"I genuinely love Ramsdale and wish the best for him, even if it is at Newcastle"

@lancelotbryan ·

Things might have looked very different had reported links with a move to Chelsea been proven true. That might have been a little too much for Arsenal fans to take. Imagine if the former fans' favourite had ended up at Stamford Bridge!