How much West Ham are willing to pay Southampton for Aaron Ramsdale revealed | OneFootball

Ramsdale has become one of the Hammers' top transfer targets

West Ham United have made Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale one of their top targets in recent weeks, and the sum they are willing to part with for his services has been revealed.

This is according to a fresh report from TEAMtalk, who have outlined that Graham Potter's side - who have never been in relegation danger throughout the season as a result of a major disparity in terms of points between them and the sides inside the relegation zone such as the Saints - have only intensified their interest in the 26-year-old.

Ramsdale only made the switch to St Mary's last summer from Arsenal after the South Coast side reclaimed their Premier League status at the first time of asking by defeating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

However, the England international's stint under Russell Martin, Ivan Juric and current interim boss Simon Rusk couldn't have gone much worse, with Southampton in danger of equalling Derby County's record-low top-flight points haul of 11 if they lose all three of their remaining games against Manchester City, Everton and the Gunners.

Whilst equalling an unwanted player record after suffering a third relegation from the division, Ramsdale could be set for an immediate reprieve in the Premier League, with the East London club preparing an eight-figure offer to secure his signature.

West Ham ramp up Aaron Ramsdale pursuit as eight-figure offer revelation emerges

Despite the Saints' dismal season, which has seen them cut adrift from Leicester and Ipswich in the bottom three - a gap which only increased after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium - their shot-stopper has been linked with many clubs in the top-flight of late, as well as Leeds, who ended their two-year exile by winning the second-tier title last weekend.

It was reported by the Sun that Manchester United had joined their cross-Pennine rivals and West Ham in a potential battle for Ramsdale's services last month after relegation was sealed, with reports also stating that the former Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth man has a £25m release clause as part of his ESTIMATED £120,000 per week contract.

TEAMtalk's fresh update backs up such news regarding the aforementioned release clause, which sits at approximately the same fee which Southampton paid for the Stoke-On-Trent native on an initial four-year contract, the side from the capital are looking to strike a slightly cheaper deal.

The report states that the Irons are preparing a £20m offer for the five-time Three Lions international, although they understand that the aforementioned release clause may have to be triggered if they are to come out on top in this particular transfer battle.

Ramsdale's stance of remaining in the top-flight is also firm, as he aims to keep his stock intact as Thomas Tuchel's time in charge of the national side progresses in the remainder of the year ahead of the 2026 World Cup, whilst Potter has hinted that a move in the goalkeeping department may not be his first port of call, already having the experienced duo of Alphonse Areola, Lukas Fabianski and Wes Foderingham on his books - although the 40-year-old Polish 'keeper is out-of-contract.

The Saints will have seen scenarios like this coming, such is the nature of the beast in the market when relegation is confirmed, with the likes of Tyler Dibling and Kyle Walker-Peters just two more standout names who are expected to move on this summer.

It's been known for some time that a rebuilding job is in order for whoever takes over at the Solent club, with the likes of Will Still and Eric Ramsay said to have recently held talks with the hierarchy, as well as a fresh update on the potential pursuit of Danny Rohl.

The freshly-relegated side, alongside Ipswich and Leicester, will immediately be named among the favourites for automatic promotion, and that tag is likely to stick throughout the summer, regardless of who departs, especially with parachute payments still coming in, as well as the money garnered from high-profile departures.

£20m will be seen as a bargain for the East London side. However, from Southampton's point of view, they will only be satisfied if a club is able to meet the release clause set in Ramsdale's contract, which, in the case of sides established in the Premier League, is likely to be seen as 'pocket change'.