Southampton FC handed blunt goalkeeper verdict amid Aaron Ramsdale exit fears - It “won’t go down well” | OneFootball

FLW’s Saints expert has weighed in on the Asmir Begovic links.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

With Aaron Ramsdale expected to depart this summer, Southampton are actively exploring their options between the sticks - and one name now in the mix is veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

According to Football Insider, both Saints and Leicester City have expressed interest in signing the 38-year-old, who is set to become a free agent following the expiration of his contract at Everton.

Begovic brings a wealth of Premier League experience with 256 top-flight appearances to his name, but at this stage in his career, questions are being asked about whether he’s the right fit for a Southampton side in transition under new boss Will Still.

The Saints have already released Joe Lumley, and while Alex McCarthy remains on the books, speculation continues to swirl around Ramsdale’s future, with the England international attracting interest from West Ham and Leeds United, and he's even being monitored by Manchester United.

Southampton, Asmir Begovic transfer claim made

In response to the reports, Football League World spoke with our resident Saints fan pundit, Martin Sanders, to get his thoughts on the Begovic rumours, and find out if he’d be a necessary addition to the south coast side.

“Now I was quite shocked with this one actually to be fair, Begovic to Southampton,” Sanders told FLW.

“Hardly played any football in the last four years really, other than that little spell that he had at QPR, where actually he wasn’t on loan, he left Everton, went there, played 46 games.

“Then he left QPR, only had a year’s contract there, and then got re-signed by Everton as a number three goalkeeper.”

“Brings experience, not sure it would go down that well with the fanbase being an ex-Pompey goalkeeper. 38 years old, is he really what Southampton need right now? Not in my opinion.

“You’ve got more than adequate experience now - Alex McCarthy, who’s got another year on his contract, you’ve got Gavin Bazunu there, obviously Aaron Ramsdale’s there and I would imagine that one of those, Ramsdale, will go, so I would go with a number one goalkeeper as a priority, not a 38-year-old veteran.”

Will Still faces key goalkeeping decision as Ramsdale nears Southampton exit

The concerns reflect a broader unease among the Southampton fanbase about how the club handles the looming loss of Ramsdale.

While Begovic could offer a short-term solution - especially if a more high-profile signing is financially out of reach - he’s not likely to be seen as a like-for-like replacement, nor a statement of long-term ambition.

Ramsdale’s departure would leave a sizeable gap, not just in terms of ability, but also in leadership and profile. For a side hoping to return to the Premier League at the first attempt, replacing that calibre of goalkeeper will be no easy task.

Begovic brings experience and a cool head, but at 38 and with limited recent playing time, he would likely only be a stopgap rather than a pillar of the club’s rebuild under Will Still.

Chairman Dragan Solak’s recent comments underline the club’s realism: Ramsdale wants to stay in the Premier League to retain his England spot, and Southampton aren’t in a position to block that.

For Southampton, then, this is a crucial moment. Opting for Begovic could signal a more pragmatic approach: plug the gap, minimise spending, and prioritise other areas of the squad.

However, it also carries the risk of short-termism, particularly if McCarthy or Bazunu are asked to shoulder more responsibility without a truly proven number one.

If Ramsdale goes, Saints must decide whether Begovic is a smart piece of business - or simply a compromise born of necessity.