Southampton have agreed to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal on a permanent transfer for around £25 million with add-ons. Ramsdale is due to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours.
The Saints will pay an initial £18m for the England goalkeeper and a further £1m if they avoid relegation to the Premier League, with the rest of the financial compensation going towards incentives.
Southampton are desperate to strengthen their goalkeeping position, with a move for Feyenoord's Justin Bijlou falling through at medical stage. Arsenal wanted around £30 million for the David Raya back-up goalkeeper, but Wolves pulled out of the deal, but Southampton offered a compromise.
Ramsdale is poised to return to the south coast on a long-term deal after spending three years at Bournemouth following his move from Sheffield United in 2017. Bournemouth were also interested in the 26-year-old but opted instead to sign out-of-favour Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.
Stoke-born Ramsdale turned up at Wembley Stadium dressed as Hagrid from the Harry Potter films during Southampton's Championship play-off final win over Leeds in May to support close friend and then-Saints winger David Brooks, who has since returned to parent club Bournemouth.
“My friends always dress up when they come to Wembley Stadium. I've done it before and won three times doing it so I'm not breaking tradition this time either,” Ramsdale explained of his look.
Ramsdale's expected departure could see Arsenal make a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Juan Garcia, while Eddie Nketiah is also expected to leave before Friday's transfer deadline, with Crystal Palace hoping to sign him for £30m.
Bijlou, who has eight caps for the Netherlands, had been linked with a move from Feyenoord to Southampton but on Tuesday revealed his move to St Mary's had been cancelled following the results of a medical.
“Dear Feyenoord, I was on my way to the Premier League,” he wrote on Instagram. “Last Sunday was a very special day and I am very grateful, but I was preparing my departure from Feyenoord.
“It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t my first choice but it was what I needed to do for my career.
“After a medical check it has become clear that Southampton have a different vision to Feyenoord regarding the treatment of an old injury. I am completely healthy and this is not a problem for me, but I respect the vision of the Southampton medical staff. This is why I am returning to Rotterdam, to my club Feyenoord.”
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“The bond between this city and this club is as strong as iron. I will continue to fight for the goalkeeper position at Feyenoord and for the Netherlands national team.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace appear to be closing in on the signing of French defender Maxence Lacroix after agreeing a deal for up to 21 million euros (£17.7m) with Wolfsburg. Palace had initially offered up to £14m for Lacroix, who played under Oliver Glasner during his time as Wolfsburg manager, but this was rejected. However, Palace have now made a new offer, offering 18 million euros up front and an additional 3 million euros.
The 24-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is thought to have been eager to reunite with Glasner.
Palace are not yet believed to have received a new bid from Newcastle for captain Marc Guehi, who played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup win over Norwich.
Palace are awaiting the results of a scan on injured Shadi Riad's knee, with the Morocco international remaining a serious doubt for Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge.
