Southampton have reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in a deal valued at up to £25 million.
The 26-year-old is set to complete the transfer before Friday’s deadline, with Southampton paying an initial £18 million, with an additional £7 million possible through performance-based add-ons.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after Southampton’s 5-3 Carabao Cup second round win at Cardiff, Saints boss Russell Martin said: “If it happens it’s very, very exciting.
“But we’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure we’ll discuss it when and if it happens.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers had been negotiating with Arsenal to sign Ramsdale, who currently serves as the backup goalkeeper to David Raya at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Wolves withdrew from the talks due to the high cost of the deal.
Ramsdale played every minute of Arsenal’s league games during the 2022-23 season, when they finished second behind Manchester City.
Despite this, he lost his starting position to Raya, who joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford last season.
Ramsdale made only six league appearances after Arsenal made Raya’s loan move permanent.
Overall, he made 78 Premier League appearances for Arsenal following his £24 million transfer from Sheffield United in 2021.
The former Bournemouth goalkeeper now joins a Southampton team that has lost both of its games since returning to the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, 34, started the matches against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, both of which ended in 1-0 defeats.
Ramsdale has earned five caps for England, the most recent in a match against Iceland in June, which served as England’s farewell game before the European Championship in Germany.
Southampton will face Brentford away on Saturday (15:00 BST).