Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the situation involving Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The 26-year-old has gone from being number one in an Arsenal side establishing themselves in the top four of the Premier League table to representing the top-flight's bottom-placed club.
Although the England international has made 19 league starts for the Saints during 2024-25, he has conceded 45 goals and kept just the two clean sheets.
Since the start of last season, Ramsdale has just six shutouts to his name in 32 matches, and he is theoretically staring at a period in the Championship.
However, according to talkSPORT, there is a relegation release clause present in his contract at St Mary's.
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Chelsea ready to reignite interest?
With Southampton sitting 13 points adrift of safety in the Premier League standings with 11 matches remaining, there is a realistic possibility of an immediate return to the second tier.
Chelsea are said to hold an interest in taking advantage of that caluse should it materialise, there continuing to be doubt over their current options between the sticks.
Despite Filip Jorgensen keeping a clean sheet against Southampton on Tuesday night, neither the Denmark Under-21 international or Robert Sanchez have been convincing this season.
The Blues have previously held an interest in Ramsdale, his manager Mikel Arteta insisting at the time that he remained at the Emirates Stadium to provide competition for David Raya.
In this situation, however, Chelsea may seemingly have a clearer route to Ramsdale's signature, providing that they settle on him as their primary target.
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Would Ramsdale represent an upgrade?
As it stands, it is anyone's guess who will line up between the sticks for Chelsea next season, with Jorgensen and Sanchez already having competition.
Djordje Petrovic has impressed during a loan stint with Strasbourg, as has Kepa Arrizabalaga who has starred for Bournemouth in their best-ever Premier League campaign.
Mike Penders, a 19-year-old stopper from Genk, has made 13 senior appearances this season ahead of joining Chelsea in the summer, and he, too, could emerge as a contender.
When Chelsea already has five options on their books, it is questionable whether Ramsdale would be an improvement on any of the aforementioned goalkeepers.
Darren Plant
