The former Arsenal goalkeeper has been linked with a summer transfer to Rangers, but one pundit has a different move for the player in mind. It has already been a busy transfer window for Rangers, and new head coach Russell Martin, along with supporters, are expecting plenty more new faces to arrive at Ibrox over the next few weeks.
The club has already completed the signings of Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell and Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez on permanent transfers, as well as Cherries’ full back Max Aarons on a season-long loan. This follows the addition of former Dundee playmaker Lyall Cameron, who signed a pre-contract agreement earlier this year.
Plenty of other stars have been linked with moves to Glasgow, and one of the biggest names on the minds of fans is England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, another former England stopper believes that signing a new keeper is ‘not a priority’ for the Gers and instead suggested that one of his former clubs is a more likely destination.
Former Leeds United keeper Paul Robinson doesn’t believe Ramsdale will be moving to Rangers this summer. The 41 times capped England international reasons that Jack Butland’s presence at Ibrox means that signing a new keeper will not be a priority for Russell Martin.
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson noted: “Jack Butland is contracted until 2027. He’s proven what he can do with some outstanding performances in European competitions last season. Jack Butland is a good goalkeeper, and he’s the number one goalkeeper. I don’t think the priority for Rangers is replacing Jack Butland. Aaron Ramsdale, I’ve mentioned before, I’d love to see him go to Leeds.
“For Ramsdale, I’m not sure at this stage of his career, with the World Cup coming up and wanting to get back into the England reckoning, that a move to Rangers would be ideal. For Rangers, I don’t see that being a priority when they’ve got a goalkeeper of Butland’s quality.”
Assessing Aaron Ramsdale’s chances of a Rangers transfer, it may very well be the case that Robinson is correct in his evaluation. The former Sheffield United stopper left Arsenal to join Russell Martin’s Southampton last summer, signing a four-year contract for a reported £25 million fee.
With the Saints having been relegated to the EFL Championship, they would likely be open to parting ways with the 27-year-old, but with three years remaining on his current contract, they would expect to recoup most, if not all, of the fee they paid. This could place Ramsdale out of Rangers’ current price range.
With Jack Butland already at Ibrox and Ramsdale likely commanding a significant transfer fee, it’s reasonable to assume that the Glasgow club may opt to spend their available funds in the window on strengthening other areas of the squad.
