Southampton boss can’t believe his club could seal ‘huge signing’ of Arsenal ace today

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is closing in on a permanent move to Southampton, and he could feature against Brentford tomorrow if he is registered on time.

Saints manager Russell Martin is eagerly waiting to get the deal over the line and has admitted he did not believe they had a realistic chance of signing the Gunners star.

Arsenal have identified Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto as the replacement for Ramsdale, with the 35-year-old undergoing his medical.

The club wants to get the deal for the Brazilian sealed before giving the final approval for Southampton to officially sign their goalie.

“I’ve learnt in my short spell as a manager that things can change very quickly, so nothing is done until it’s done,” Martin told Sky Sports when asked about the Arsenal star joining the Saints.

“If it happens, when it happens, it will be a huge signing for us. On the pitch, off the pitch, for the fans, the players and the staff and for our opposition as well. So I hope it gets completed and everyone is smiling at the end of it.

“We’ll have to wait and see. It is all about timing. I think the clubs are very advanced in what is going on with the paperwork and that stuff.

“But Arsenal are trying to bring one in themselves. I don’t know that situation but we’ll be kept on top of it. And the hope is he is registered on time to play tomorrow and train this morning. Then we’ll have to wait and see.

“If you asked me four or five weeks ago that we would have a chance of signing Aaron Ramsdale, I would have thought you were crazy.

We spoke a bit over that bit of time – pestered him a little bit! Even a week ago I thought it wasn’t achievable, but it’s worth trying still.”

Southampton will hope Ramsdale can help keep them up, and he will be looking to convince England interim boss Lee Carsley that he should be starting ahead of Jordan Pickford.

Remaining at Arsenal was no longer ideal for his international career, and the former Sheffield United star will hope to hit the ground running at his soon-to-be new club.

The Gunners will hope to announce his departure and the arrival of Neto today, and the veteran Brazilian will be desperate to push David Raya out of the starting XI.