Aaron Ramsdale's secret transfer clause puts Premier League clubs on red alert

Aaron Ramsdale could complete a shock move to Chelsea with the help of a relegation release clause.

The England goalkeeper completed a move to Southampton last summer that could be worth up to £25m. But it hasn’t been the season that either Ramsdale or the Saints will have wanted.

The South Coast side have accumulated just nine points upon their return to the Premier League. Ramsdale, 26, has conceded 42 goals in just 19 Premier League games having missed a chunk of the season due to injury, while he has just two clean sheets.

With Southampton looking destined for an instant return to the Championship, Ramsdale could leave despite having a contract set to run until 2028. According to talkSPORT, there is a relegation release clause written into the goalkeeper’s deal at St Mary’s which would allow him to depart should the club get demoted.

And there is already reported interest in the former Sheffield United stopper. Chelsea apparently have long-standing interest in him, while Bournemouth have also been linked in the past.

The London side already have a number of goalkeepers on their books albeit neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen have done enough to convince Enzo Maresca. Ex-Chelsea star Jason Cundy has urged his former club to make a move for Ramsdale.

“The goalkeeper has turned out to be a massive problem for Chelsea,” Cundy said on talkSPORT. “Jorgensen dropped an absolute dolly against Aston Villa.

“We did enough to get a point there and the keeper made a howler, it was devastating for Chelsea. I would definitely have Ramsdale. That’s an improvement. Kelleher at Liverpool is another one they’re looking at.

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“Clearly the goalkeeper situation has been a bit of a disaster. Sanchez got the gloves and over the last three months it’s been quite obvious that he’s suffering. There’s been a lot of goals and mistakes.

“I think they will be looking to replace Sanchez unless they think [Djordje] Petrovic who is out on loan is good enough. But clearly it’s been an issue all season and something has to change.”

Chelsea have already agreed a deal to sign another new goalkeeper even before a possible move for Ramsdale. Mike Penders is due to complete a £17m move from Belgian side Genk this summer.

Following their clash with Southampton - a game in which Ramsdale featured - Chelsea are back in action next weekend against Copenhagen. Southampton have some time to wait for their next game which comes against Liverpool next weekend.

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