Leeds United have reportedly turned their attention to strengthening one of Marcelo Bielsa’s key positions this summer, and some of our writers have each given their verdicts.
According to Football Insider, the Championship front-runners are keen on adding Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to their ranks should they achieve promotion.
It’s claimed the west Yorkshiremen have been watching the 21-year-old closely over the past two seasons, including during his spell at AFC Wimbledon in the depths of the Football League.
This move would hint towards a change in direction from Bielsa with Kiko Casilla’s future in doubt and no fresh updates over making Illan Meslier’s loan switch permanent.
Ramsdale is currently valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt, although it remains to be seen what sort of fee the Cherries would command for their shot-stopper.
Here’s the verdict from four of Football FanCast’s writers…
Danny Lewis
“For me, this would be a no-brainer for Orta, and it says a lot that Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also interested in the 21-year-old. Considering his age and the fact he has played 28 Premier League matches this term, he has a perfect mix of what Bielsa will need from him if Leeds are promoted: experience in the Premier League and room to be adapted to fit his way of playing. The stopper has been reliable between the sticks, making 3.6 saves per game, so there is little reason why this move would not be a positive one for Leeds.”
Charles Jones
“One million percent yes, Leeds should be all over Aaron Ramsdale if he is available this summer.
“The Whites need a goalkeeper with some Premier League experience this summer, considering Kiko Casilla’s recent high-profile blunders against Wigan, Brentford and Nottingham Forest and Illan Meslier’s lack of experience at such a high level.
“Okay, Meslier hasn’t conceded a league goal yet, but the Premier League is a different animal, and Ramsdale has shown that he’s capable of tackling it.
“This could be the signing that Leeds look back on at the end of next season and think that this was the arrival that secured their safety in the top-flight.
“United should pull out all the stops to get this one done.”
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Billy Meyers
“Around £12m or so for Aaron Ramsdale? Has the world gone mad?
“Despite being the third-busiest glovesman in the Premier League this season with an impressive 102 saves to his name, that is largely because Bournemouth have been awful – note how Tim Krul, in charge of guarding the goal for 20th-place Norwich, is only a few ranks behind him.
“Leeds do need a new shot-stopper with Kiko Casilla pretty much ending his own career at Elland Road with some dreadful performances and the well-documented incident with Jonathan Leko, although Ramsdale isn’t who Orta should be eyeing.
“Marcelo Bielsa’s men play a high-octane style of football in which a concentrated, dependant stopper who is good with his feet will be needed, and despite having undoubted potential, the Cherries No.1 isn’t that man yet – Leeds can’t afford to wait for him to become the full package, especially not after spending over £10m on him.”
Lewis Blain
“Any move for Aaron Ramsdale should boil down to whether or not Bielsa sees a future for Kiko Casilla at Leeds. If yes, then they ought to swerve spending eight figures on another goalkeeper but if not, then there isn’t a better candidate out there to swoop for.
“The Spaniard is packing a hefty wage at the club, which The Sun’s Alan Nixon claimed to be around £50k-per-week prior to his switch from Real Madrid, so only if he’s on his way out can they even think about doing this.
“At just 21, United can do no wrong with this move. It very much feels like a Bailey Peacock-Farrell mark two type, a player I believe they have failed to replace adequately.
“The goalkeeper, who is capped at England U21 level, would be astute business for Bielsa and co. Let’s just hope they don’t have too much blind faith in the ageing veteran instead.”
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