The latest transfer rumours linking West Ham with a move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale bring the total number of Saints players linked to the Hammers to four.
Ordinarily, such scattergun speculation would be easy to dismiss — but West Ham do appear to have a genuine interest in two of the four names being mentioned.
As we reported yesterday, West Ham are leading the race for soon-to-be out-of-contract England full-back Kyle Walker-Peters. That report was later echoed by talkSPORT, who carried a near-identical story.
The Hammers are also believed to be serious contenders for England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who not only has the obligatory double-barrelled surname but is also represented by Will Salthouse — co-owner of Unique Sports Group and a long-standing confidant of West Ham chairman David Sullivan.
For those reasons, Walker-Peters and Harwood-Bellis arriving at the London Stadium this summer should not be discounted.
Slightly less believable is the Ramsdale link. The former Arsenal stopper is widely regarded as a good character and is probably more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Alphonse Areola. Unfortunately, he hasn’t exactly excelled when it comes to the other parts of goalkeeping — namely, stopping shots and catching the ball. So, I’d take that rumour with a pinch of salt.
Last — and by no means least — is Southampton’s young trickster Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old has had an impressive breakthrough season, only has one surname, but does play with his socks rolled down which I’m reliably informed makes him even more skilful.
Manchester United are said to be monitoring Dibling, and he certainly looks destined for big things — which probably means he should give Man U a swerve.
One final thought though… if Southampton really do have so many good players, why are they already relegated with just ten points?
