Fresh Southampton FC, Aaron Ramsdale twist emerges - Russell Martin is involved | OneFootball

Southampton are reportedly open to loaning out Aaron Ramsdale amid interest from ex-Saints boss Russell Martin at Rangers

Southampton are open to sanctioning a loan exit for Aaron Ramsdale this summer amid fresh interest from Galatasaray and Rangers, with the goalkeeper's departure from the south coast appearing increasingly likely following relegation from the Premier League.

According to a recent report from talkSPORT, Southampton are now willing to green-light a loan move away from St Mary's Stadium for Ramsdale, who has no shortage of suitors despite suffering the third top-flight relegation of his career with the Saints during the 2024/25 campaign.

Ramsdale joined Southampton just last summer from Arsenal in a blockbuster initial £18 million deal and signed a four-year contract, having spent two of his three years in North London as Mikel Arteta's first-choice shot-stopper before losing his place to David Raya in his final campaign.

However, the season did not play out according to plan for either Ramsdale or Southampton, with the Saints sweeping through three separate managers in Russell Martin, Ivan Juric and Simon Rusk en route to recording a historically dismal finish in 20th place with just 13 points as they became the earliest side to officially suffer relegation in the Premier League era.

The five-cap England international, who was named in Thomas Tuchel's first 26-man squad for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification double-header against Albania and Latvia but has not represented the Three Lions since the 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland at Wembley last year, is reportedly seeking the Southampton exit door in a bid to revive his international career after seeing his stock fall at club level in recent times.

Southampton FC, Aaron Ramsdale loan stance emerges amid Galatasaray and Rangers transfer interest

It previously appeared as though Southampton would cash in on Ramsdale after a solitary season with the club amid reported interest from the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham.

However, a fresh twist has now emerged, with the Saints instead open to letting the 27-year-old depart on a temporary basis. This comes days after Saints chairman Dragan Solak confirmed that he is not sure whether the club will be able to retain Ramsdale in the Championship.

There is plenty of courtship for Ramsdale's signature, which is reportedly of interest to Turkish giants Galatasaray alongside Rangers, who are now under the management of the man who brought the goalkeeper to Southampton in Russell Martin after he recently took the job north of the border.

Martin, of course, was a huge fan of Ramsdale's and is now believed to be eyeing a reunion with the ex-Arsenal star in a surprise twist to the saga.

Perhaps, though, the most surprising takeaway is that Southampton are open to loaning out Ramsdale, who is said to be the club's top earner on a contract in excess of £100,000-a-week.

Southampton's goalkeeping options at the disposal of new head coach Will Still would be somewhat light in the event of an exit for Ramsdale, with just Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy representing the alternative current candidates between the sticks.

Aaron Ramsdale's wages may necessitate Southampton FC exit

Southampton will naturally be forced into conducting cost-cutting exercises to offset the financial losses and implications incurred by relegation to the Championship, and trimming the wage bill is sure to be a crucial task for Still as he gets his feet under the table in charge.

Ramsdale's wages simply cannot be accommodated in the second-tier, and while he would no doubt be a star at Championship level, sanctioning a departure to get his salary off the books may represent Southampton's best option at this stage.

It would, of course, be ideal to receive a fee similar to what was shelled out for his services last summer, but there is also the possibility of loaning out Ramsdale and then gaining promotion before returning him to the squad.

However, loaning him out will surely be off the cards unless Rangers or other interested parties are willing to front a large portion of his wages, and it could backfire if Southampton fail to go back up at the very first attempt.